Valencia CF, Valencia CF Femenino and VCF Mestalla hold a minute’s silence in memory of Valencia CF legend José Manuel Ochotorena

The Valencia CF men’s first team, Valencia CF Femenino and VCF Mestalla observed a heartfelt minute’s silence before the start of their morning training sessions today, in memory of Valencia CF legend José Manuel Ochotorena.

Career at Valencia CF

Born in San Sebastián in 1961, Ochotorena joined Valencia CF from Real Madrid in 1988 and, in his first season, won the Zamora Trophy as the goalkeeper with the fewest goals conceded in the First Division. His excellent performances earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team, with which he was included in the squad for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. That same year, he also became the Valencia CF goalkeeper with the most consecutive LaLiga appearances in the Club’s history (59).

After retiring as a player, Ochotorena returned to Valencia CF in 2001 as a goalkeeping coach, a role he has held ever since - except for a period between 2004 and 2007, when he worked for Liverpool alongside Rafa Benítez and won the Champions League - earning the trust and recognition of every coach at the Club and becoming a key and irreplaceable figure in Valencia CF’s success over the last two decades.