Txetxu Rojo, One Club Man, defended the rojiblanca shirt for 17 seasons He made his debut in 1965 and retired in 1982, after a tribute match held at La Catedral towards the English staff simply earlier than they performed the World Cup in San Mamés His little brother, Rojo II , midfielder, additionally spent a part of his profession at Athletic
José Francisco Rojo Arroita (Bilbao, January 28, 1947), recognized in soccer as Rojo I and Txetxu Rojo, has died in Leioa (Bizkaia) on the age of 75, accompanied by his closest family members. “In a Club stuffed with legends, one of many best is leaving us, a real rojiblanco delusion, with a wonderful profession within the centenary historical past of Athletic. A silky left foot, pure ingenuity within the move and cross into the realm. An 11 unforgettable”, has indicated the Bilbao membership.
Txetxu Rojo, One Club Man, defended the rojiblanca shirt for 17 seasons, taking part in 541 video games, a file determine solely surpassed by the nice José Ángel Iribar. He scored 67 objectives and gave many extra decisive passes, he gained two Cup titles towards Elche and Castellón, within the 1968/69 and 1972/73 seasons.
He made his debut in 1965 and retired in 1982, after a tribute match held at La Catedral towards the English staff simply earlier than they performed the World Cup in San Mamés. In addition, he was worldwide 18 occasions.
But the mark that Txetxu Rojo leaves at Athletic Club is “immense and goes far past soccer. Around his prodigious left leg, his artistic expertise and his dazzling class, an idol was erected that marked a whole period and whose echo lasts unalterable among the many athleticzales. The tales concerning the supreme magnificence and the prodigious strategy of Rojo I on the left wing have been transmitted between generations spontaneously, because the reminiscence of family members and nice myths endure within the collective reminiscence”, has added the membership.
Likewise, he recalled that he was “a person from the Club with capital letters, 100% Athletic, who, as soon as retired, coached the staff in 70 official matches, within the 1989/90 and 2000/01 seasons, with out the identical success he had as participant, however with the identical dedication and dedication to the membership of his life”. Curiously, on this second stage, Ernesto Valverde, at this time the primary staff coach, was his assistant.
He additionally coached RC Celta, CA Osasuna, Club Lleida Esportiu, UD Salamanca and Real Zaragoza, in two completely different levels. One of Txetxu Rojo’s best successes as a coach was with the Vigo staff, whom he led (1993-94 season) in his third Cup remaining of the 4 he has performed. However, they needed to accept runner-up towards Víctor Fernández’s Real Zaragoza.
Precisely, the rojiblanco delusion took the reins of the Maño staff within the 1998-99 season and a yr later he had an “unforgettable” season that made his followers dream of the League title, reaching the final day with choices to win LaLiga.
His little brother, Rojo II, a midfielder, additionally spent a part of his profession at Athletic, for seven seasons, between 1971 and 1977. It was in that final yr, exactly, when the staff coached by the late Koldo Aguirre performed fantasy soccer. , being runner-up within the Cup and UEFA, with that historic remaining towards Juventus. By then, he had already pushed his place again inside to depart a door open for his inheritor, Estanis Argote.
“Those who loved his distinctive sport on the left wing for 17 seasons bear in mind superb dribbling, surgical and sudden passes, beautiful controls, valuable objectives, however, above all, the aura of an unrepeatable footballer, an artist, a creator of magnificence, maybe devoid of the claw of different rojiblancos myths, however possessing a real and massive coronary heart of a lion. Although Txetxu’s coronary heart has stopped beating in his mortal physique, it should proceed to beat endlessly within the hearts of the followers”, Athletic burdened. .
In the subsequent few hours, Athletic Club will talk what the farewell in his honor will probably be like.