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Pako Ayestarán

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ayestarán and the second or maternal family name is Barandiarán.
Pako Ayestarán
Personal information
Full name Francisco Martín Ayestarán Barandiarán[1]
Date of birth (1963-02-05) 5 February 1963 (age 62)[1]
Place of birth Beasain, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Aston Villa (assistant head coach)
Youth career
Years Team
Real Sociedad
Managerial career
2001–2004 Valencia (assistant)
2004–2007 Liverpool (assistant)
2008–2009 Benfica (assistant)
2009–2010 Valencia (assistant)
2011–2012 Al-Ahli Dubai (assistant)
2013–2014 Tecos
2014–2015 Maccabi Tel Aviv
2015 Santos Laguna
2016 Valencia
2017 Las Palmas
2018–2019 Pachuca
2020–2022 Tondela
2022– Aston Villa (assistant)

Francisco Martín "Pako" Ayestarán Barandiarán (born 5 February 1963) is a Spanish football manager and coach who is the assistant head coach at Premier League club Aston Villa.

He spent 11 years as assistant to Rafael Benítez at clubs including Valencia and Liverpool. He has subsequently worked in Mexico, Israel, Portugal, and at Valencia and Las Palmas in La Liga.

Career

[edit]

Ayestarán was born in Beasain, Gipuzkoa,[1] and had a short stint as a youth player at Real Sociedad. After starting his career as a fitness coach, he was appointed Rafael Benítez's assistant at Osasuna, and remained behind the manager at Extremadura, Tenerife, Valencia and Liverpool.

Valencia

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In 2001, Ayestarán followed Rafael Benítez to Valencia, joining as assistant manager. During a highly successful spell, the club won two La Liga titles (2001–02 and 2003–04) and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup.[2]

Liverpool

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In 2004, he moved to Liverpool as assistant manager. There, Ayestarán modernized the team’s fitness regime, introducing data-driven methods, individualized recovery programs, and the now-famous “Pako Hills” training slopes at Melwood.[3] His influence was widely acknowledged within the squad: Steven Gerrard called him “the perfect number two,” while Peter Crouch remarked “Pako ran the show,” crediting him as one of the best coaches he had worked with.[4][5] He contributed to a period of major success, including victories in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League, 2005 UEFA Super Cup, 2005–06 FA Cup, 2006 FA Community Shield, and a runner-up finish in the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League.

On 1 September 2007, Ayestarán announced his departure from the Reds after 11 years partnering Benítez. Benítez accused Ayestarán of "betrayal" as Ayestarán "contacted other clubs behind his back" while Ayestarán rejected the accusations, claiming instead that Benítez "forgot his principles".[6][7] After leaving Liverpool, he was invited by Avram Grant to join his coaching staff at Chelsea, but Ayestarán declined the offer.[6]

Real Sociedad

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After leaving Liverpool, Ayestarán was briefly appointed sporting director of Real Sociedad in January 2008, but resigned after a few weeks due to conflict with club president Iñaki Badiola.[8][9]

Benfica & return to Valencia

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In the 2008–09 season, he served as fitness coach under Quique Sánchez Flores at Benfica in Portugal, where the club won the Taça da Liga.[10] He returned to Valencia for the 2009–10 season as fitness coach under Unai Emery. Ayestarán left the club in June 2010, stating that he wanted to pursue other professional opportunities.[11][12]

Al-Ahli Dubai

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After a year out, he joined Sánchez Flores again for the 2011–12 season at Al-Ahli Dubai, where they won the UAE League Cup.[13][14]

Estudiantes Tecos

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On 24 August 2013, Ayestarán took his first head coaching role at Estudiantes Tecos in Mexico.[15] In May 2014, Tecos won the Clausura 2014 title under his management, defeating Correcaminos UAT on penalties.[16] They went on to lose the promotion play-off to Leones Negros, and the franchise was later relocated to Zacatecas. Ayestarán chose not to continue with the team, stating he had no intention of remaining in the second division.[17]

Maccabi Tel Aviv

[edit]

Ayestarán was appointed Maccabi Tel Aviv manager on 26 August 2014, replacing fellow Spaniard Óscar García, who had resigned days before a UEFA Europa League qualifier due to the war in Gaza.[18] During the 2014–15 season, Ayestarán led Maccabi Tel Aviv to a historic domestic treble—winning the Israeli Premier League, the Israel State Cup, and the Toto Cup after defeating Maccabi Haifa 2–1 in the final—becoming the first manager in Israeli football history to win all three major domestic trophies in a single season.[19] Despite the success, he resigned from the club on 20 August 2015.[20] He was later linked with a return to Liverpool as assistant to Brendan Rodgers, but Ayestarán made clear he intended to continue as a head coach.[21]

Santos Laguna

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On 19 August 2015, Ayestarán returned to Mexico, being appointed at the helm of Santos Laguna in Liga MX, replacing Portuguese coach Pedro Caixinha, who had resigned days earlier.[22] Under his leadership, the team played 14 official matches across domestic and international competitions, including the CONCACAF Champions League, achieving 5 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses, with 24 goals scored and 17 conceded, for an average of 1.36 points per match. Notable results included 0–3 away victories against Chivas and Veracruz, as well as a 6–1 home win over Deportivo Saprissa in continental competition. On 21 November 2015, it was announced that Ayestarán would not continue with the club for the Clausura 2016 tournament.[23][24]

Return to Valencia

[edit]

On 14 February 2016, Ayestarán returned to Valencia CF for a third spell, though for the first time not as a fitness coach but as a member of Gary Neville's coaching staff. His arrival marked a key addition to the backroom team, which also included Miguel Ángel Angulo and Phil Neville.[25]

On 31 March 2016, following Neville’s dismissal, Ayestarán was appointed head coach for the remainder of the 2015–16 La Liga season.[26] He began his tenure with a defeat to UD Las Palmas,[27] but quickly turned things around by securing three consecutive league victories over Sevilla, Barcelona, and Eibar. The 2–1 win at the Camp Nou was especially celebrated, as Valencia became one of only two teams to defeat FC Barcelona at home in La Liga that season; helping secure the club's top-flight survival and restoring some optimism among fans.[28]

Impressed by the late-season recovery, the club confirmed Ayestarán’s appointment as full-time manager on 24 May 2016, with a contract running until 30 June 2018.[29] However, after a poor start to the 2016–17 campaign — with four league defeats, he was relieved of his duties on 20 September 2016.[30]

Las Palmas

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Ayestarán replaced Manolo Márquez as the new Las Palmas manager on 27 September 2017.[31] Taking over a struggling side early in the season, he managed seven league matches, recording one draw and six defeats, before being dismissed on 30 November 2017.[32]

Pachuca

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On 29 May 2018, Ayestarán returned to Mexico's top flight as manager of Pachuca in Liga MX.[33] During his time in charge, he led the team in 28 official matches, recording 13 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses, with 55 goals scored and 42 conceded. Pachuca reached the semi-finals of the Copa MX Apertura 2018 and produced notable performances, including a 6–2 win over Club Necaxa and a 3–0 victory against Querétaro. Ayestarán’s side showed attacking intent and consistency across much of the campaign, averaging 1.64 points per match. He left the club on 20 January 2019 following a poor start to the Clausura tournament, which included a 3–0 loss to Club América at the Estadio Azteca.[34]

Tondela

[edit]

On 10 August 2020, Ayestarán was appointed head coach of Portuguese Primeira Liga side Tondela, replacing fellow Basque Natxo González.[35] In his first season, he led the club to its best-ever finish in the Primeira Liga, securing 12th place and comfortably avoiding relegation. The following year, he guided Tondela to a historic run in the Taça de Portugal, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history. In the first leg, they earned a commanding 3–0 home victory over Mafra,[36] setting the stage for a place in the final. Despite the strong cup performance and stable league standing, Ayestarán departed the club on 16 March 2022, shortly before Tondela confirmed their place in the final with a 4–1 aggregate win.[37]

Aston Villa

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On 4 November 2022, Ayestarán was announced as assistant head coach to Unai Emery at Aston Villa.[38] Since his arrival, Ayestarán has played a fundamental role in the club’s notable transformation in the Premier League, bringing his experience and tactical insight to Emery’s project.

During the 2022–23 season, he helped guide Aston Villa to a seventh-place finish, earning qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League. In the following campaign, the club reached the semi-finals of the competition, defeating Lille on penalties in the quarter-finals.[39] They also finished fourth in the league, securing a place in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1982–83 season.[40]

In 2024–25, Villa reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they were narrowly eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain with a 5–4 aggregate score.[41] The team also advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they were defeated by Crystal Palace at Wembley.[42] They finished sixth in the league, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.[43]

Honours

[edit]
Tecos
Maccabi Tel Aviv

Tondela

Liverpool

Valencia

Benfica

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Ayestarán: Career Path". BDFutbol. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  2. ^ "La sombra del doblete". Plaza Deportiva (in Spanish). 20 April 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  3. ^ "The story of Pako's Hill – a unique quirk of Melwood under Rafa Benitez". This Is Anfield. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  4. ^ Gerrard, Steven (24 September 2015). My Story. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 404–406. ISBN 978-1-4059-2442-9. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  5. ^ Reis, Bruna (25 October 2023). "Peter Crouch reveals how Pako Ayestarán 'ran show' at Liverpool". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b Ogden, Mark (1 September 2007). "Rafael Benitez's assistant quits Liverpool". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Benítez quietly furious after No2 of 11 years leaves". The Guardian. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  8. ^ "El empresario Iñaki Badiola, nuevo presidente de la Real Sociedad". El Confidencial. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Aiestarán me chantajeó". El Diario Vasco. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Benfica: conheça a equipa técnica liderada por Quique Flores". Mais Futebol. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Paco Ayestarán: «Me voy porque el cuerpo me pide hacer otras cosas»". Las Provincias. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Pako Ayestarán tiene decidido salir del VCF". Superdeporte. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Paco Ayestarán se unirá al equipo de Quique Sánchez Flores". Sportyou. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Quique prolonga un año más su estancia en Dubai". Superdeporte. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Ex auxiliar de Benítez, DT de Tecos" (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Ayestarán, campeón del Clausura como entrenador de Tecos". AS. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  17. ^ "Ayestarán no irá con Estudiantes a Zacatecas". El Informador. 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  18. ^ "Óscar García abandona el banquillo del Maccabi Tel Aviv por la guerra en Gaza" [Óscar García leaves the bench of Maccabi Tel Aviv due to the war in Gaza] (in Spanish). Marca. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Ayestarán, triplete histórico con el Maccabi" [Ayestarán, historic treble with Maccabi] (in Spanish). Marca. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Ayestaran no continúa pese al triplete" [Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Ayestaran will not continue despite treble] (in Spanish). esFutbol. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Pako Ayestaran only interested in number one manager's position despite link with Liverpool FC return". Liverpool Echo. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  22. ^ "Pako Ayestarán, nuevo entrenador de Santos" (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Santos Laguna and Pako Ayestaran part ways". Santos Laguna. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Pako Ayestarán no seguirá en Santos Laguna" (in Spanish). Marca. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Gary Neville: Valencia needed Pako Ayestaran on coaching team". ESPN FC. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  26. ^ "Gary Neville sacked by Valencia after less than four months". The Guardian. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  27. ^ "Valencia's woes continue after defeat to Las Palmas". ESPN FC. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  28. ^ Manuca, David (18 April 2016). "Ayestaran: Barcelona win was for Valencia fans". Goal. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  29. ^ "VCF Official Statement". Valencia CF. 24 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Valencia sack Pako Ayestaran after losing start". 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Pako Ayestarán, nuevo entrenador de la UD Las Palmas" [Pako Ayestarán, new manager of UD Las Palmas] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  32. ^ "La UD Las Palmas despide a Pako Ayestarán en una noche entre lágrimas del lesionado Vitolo" (in Spanish). El Mundo. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  33. ^ Mancera, D. (29 May 2018). "Pako Ayestarán, nuevo entrenador del Pachuca" [Pako Ayestarán, new manager of Pachuca]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Liga MX's Pachuca fires Spanish manager Ayestaran". EFE. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Pako Ayestarán, nuevo entrenador del Tondela portugués" [Pako Ayestarán, new manager of Portugal's Tondela]. Marca (in Spanish). 10 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  36. ^ "El Tondela de Pako Ayestarán alcanza los cuartos de final" [Pako Ayesterán's Tondela reach the quarter-finals]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 22 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  37. ^ "OFICIAL: Tondela confirma saída de Pako Ayestarán" [OFFICIAL: Tondela confirm Pako Ayestarán's exit] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Villa confirm Unai Emery's backroom team". AVFC.co.uk. Aston Villa Football Club. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  39. ^ Johnston, Neil (18 April 2024). "Lille 2–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Aston Villa reach Champions League for first time". BBC Sport. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Champions League: PSG 2–3 Aston Villa (5–4 agg) – as it happened". BBC Sport. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  42. ^ "FA Cup: Crystal Palace 3–0 Aston Villa – match highlights". BBC Sport. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  43. ^ "All you need to know about the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League". Aston Villa FC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  44. ^ https://as.com/futbol/2014/05/04/internacional/1399218831_097315.html
  45. ^ a b https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/32826926
  46. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elZNWzT8ivU
  47. ^ https://as.com/futbol/2022/04/20/internacional/1650490299_497866.html
  48. ^ https://es.coachesvoice.com/pako-ayestaran-liverpool-anfield/
  49. ^ https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/300099--milan-vs-liverpool/
  50. ^ https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/history/2005/
  51. ^ https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/197065/west-ham-united-liverpool
  52. ^ a b https://plazadeportiva.valenciaplaza.com/la-sombra-del-doblete
  53. ^ https://www.ciberche.net/historia/la-historia-del-valencia-cf/2001-2002
  54. ^ https://www.flashscore.es/futbol/portugal/taca-da-liga-2008-2009/#/UirAofN6/table/overall
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