Cristóbal Emilio "Curro" Torres Ruiz (born 27 December 1976) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right-back, currently manager of Estonian club FCI Levadia Tallinn.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz | ||
| Date of birth | 27 December 1976 | ||
| Place of birth | Ahlen, West Germany | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Right-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Levadia (manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Damm | |||
| Gramenet | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1995–1997 | Gramenet | 53 | (5) |
| 1997–1999 | Valencia B | 62 | (10) |
| 1999–2009 | Valencia | 117 | (1) |
| 1999–2000 | → Recreativo (loan) | 37 | (1) |
| 2000–2001 | → Tenerife (loan) | 39 | (2) |
| 2007–2008 | → Murcia (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2009–2011 | Gimnàstic | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 310 | (19) | |
| International career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Spain | 5 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2014–2017 | Valencia B | ||
| 2017 | Lorca | ||
| 2018 | Istra 1961 | ||
| 2018–2019 | Córdoba | ||
| 2019–2020 | Lugo | ||
| 2021–2022 | Cultural Leonesa | ||
| 2022– | Levadia | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
In his professional career, whose later years were blighted by several injuries, he represented mainly Valencia, helping the team to two La Liga championships (playing 119 matches at that level over eight seasons and scoring once) and the 2004 UEFA Cup. He appeared for Spain at the 2002 World Cup.
Torres started working as a manager in 2014, spending three years at Valencia B. He also led three teams in the Segunda División and worked in the top leagues of Croatia and Estonia.
Early life
editTorres was born in Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. His parents hailed from Granada, and emigrated to Germany for employment. When their son was still an infant they moved back to Spain, settling in Catalonia.[1]
Playing career
editClub
editTorres began his career with UDA Gramenet before joining Valencia CF in 1997. He was a regular with the B team for two seasons, being loaned out to Recreativo de Huelva and CD Tenerife the next two years. In the latter, alongside Mista and Luis García, he was a key member of the Canary Islands club – coached by Rafael Benítez[2]– that won promotion to La Liga.
Torres then returned to Valencia, where he proceeded to become a key member in the sides that won the national league twice and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, again under Benítez.[3] From early 2005 onwards, however, he would be severely hindered by injuries,[4] although he appeared in 17 games in the 2006–07 campaign, mainly as a left-back due to Emiliano Moretti's forced absence.
For 2007–08, Torres was loaned to top-flight newcomers Real Murcia,[5] where his physical problems resurfaced (two league appearances).[6][7] Upon their relegation he returned to Valencia, being restricted to two UEFA Cup matches during the season, with even midfielder Hedwiges Maduro being preferred as Miguel's backup;[8] he left the Che in June 2009.
On 27 July 2009, Torres moved to Gimnàstic de Tarragona of Segunda División, playing no minutes whatsoever in the season (league or cup) as Nàstic finished in 18th position.[9] In January of the following year, after the loan acquisitions of Borja Viguera and Álex Bergantiños by the club, the 34-year-old's contract was cancelled.[10]
International
editCourtesy of solid performances whilst at Valencia, Torres made his debut for Spain on 14 November 2001 in a friendly with Mexico in Huelva (1–0 win),[11] and was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, where he appeared against South Africa in the group stage.[12]
Coaching career
editOn 7 April 2014, Torres returned to Valencia after nearly five years, being appointed manager of the reserves in the Segunda División B.[13] In 2017 he took them to the final round of the play-offs, being knocked out by Albacete Balompié.[14]
On 2 July 2017, Torres was named Lorca FC manager.[15] On 17 December, with the side in the relegation zone, he was sacked.[16]
Torres was appointed at NK Istra 1961 from the Croatian First Football League on 20 September 2018, but left the club after only one month in charge.[17] On 19 November he replaced the fired José Ramón Sandoval at the helm of Córdoba CF,[18] and was dismissed on 25 February 2019 having earned fewer points (ten) than any other second division team during that period.[19]
On 27 December 2019, Torres was named manager of second-tier CD Lugo after the sacking of Eloy Jiménez.[20] He was himself relieved of his duties six months later, with the team second-bottom.[21]
Torres replaced the sacked Ramón González at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in the new Primera Federación on 12 December 2021.[22] Having missed the playoffs in 12th, his contract was not renewed past June.[23]
On 11 November 2022, Torres signed a two-year deal at FCI Levadia Tallinn of the Estonian Meistriliiga.[24] On his debut the following 5 March, the season began with a goalless home draw against Pärnu JK Vaprus.[25]
Managerial statistics
edit- As of match played 9 March 2024
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| Valencia B | 
|
7 April 2014 | 2 July 2017 | 127 | 52 | 34 | 41 | 168 | 140 | +28 | 40.94 | [26] |
| Lorca |
|
2 July 2017 | 17 December 2017 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 18 | 30 | −12 | 20.00 | [27] |
| Istra 1961 | 
|
20 September 2018 | 28 October 2018 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 14 | −2 | 33.33 | [28] |
| Córdoba |
|
19 November 2018 | 25 February 2019 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 25 | −8 | 14.29 | [29] |
| Lugo |
|
27 December 2019 | 29 June 2020 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 18 | −8 | 26.67 | [30] |
| Cultural Leonesa |
|
12 December 2021 | 30 June 2022 | 23 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 37 | 34 | +3 | 30.43 | [31] |
| Levadia | 
|
1 December 2022 | Present | 42 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 91 | 32 | +59 | 61.90 | [32] |
| Total | 247 | 97 | 65 | 85 | 353 | 293 | +60 | 39.27 | — | |||
Honours
editPlayer
editValencia
- La Liga: 2001–02, 2003–04
- Copa del Rey: 1998–99
- UEFA Cup: 2003–04
- UEFA Super Cup: 2004
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1998
Manager
editIndividual
- Meistriliiga Manager of the Month: April 2023,[33] June/July 2023[34]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ros, Cayetano (29 September 2004). "Curro Torres, en su cuna" [Curro Torres, in his cradle] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ Santon, Carlos (28 October 2000). "La ambición de Benítez tuvo justa recompensa" [Benítez's ambition had its just reward] (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ Valencia 2–0 Marseille; BBC Sport, 19 May 2004
- ^ Curro Torres awaits surgery; UEFA, 12 January 2005
- ^ Curro Torres leaves Valencia; UEFA, 4 August 2007
- ^ "La rodilla envía a Curro Torres al quirófano" [Knee sends Curro Torres to surgery room] (in Spanish). La Verdad. 25 October 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Curro Torres se perfila como la novedad del Murcia en Riazor" [Curro Torres poised to be a novelty for Murcia at Riazor] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Valencia: Emery convoca de nuevo a Curro Torres (Valencia: Emery calls Curro Torres again); Goal, 4 December 2008 (in Spanish)
- ^ Curro Torres dice adiós a la temporada (Curro Torres says goodbye to season); Marca, 6 February 2010 (in Spanish)
- ^ Romero, Ricky (13 January 2011). "Curro Torres es el primer damnificado por los dos fichajes" [Curro Torres is the first damaged by the two signings] (in Spanish). Diario AS. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ La selección aburre (National team are a bore); Mundo Deportivo, 15 November 2001 (in Spanish)
- ^ Hacen pleno (Three for three); Mundo Deportivo, 13 June 2002 (in Spanish)
- ^ Curro Torres, nuevo entrenador del Valencia CF – Mestalla (Curro Torres, new Valencia CF – Mestalla manager); Valencia CF, 7 April 2014 (in Spanish)
- ^ Bort, J. M. (25 June 2017). "El Mestalla cae con las botas puestas" [Mestalla fall with their boots on] (in Spanish). Levante-EMV. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Curro Torres, nuevo técnico del Lorca FC (Curro Torres, new manager of Lorca FC) Archived 9 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine; Lorca FC, 2 July 2017 (in Spanish)
- ^ Curro Torres deja de ser técnico del Lorca Fútbol Club (Curro Torres no longer Lorca Fútbol Club manager); Lorca FC, 17 December 2017 (in Spanish)
- ^ Ortí, Francisco (30 October 2018). "Acaba la etapa Curro Torres en Croacia" [Curro Torres spell in Croatia comes to an end] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ "Curro Torres, nuevo entrenador del Córdoba Club de Fútbol" [Curro Torres, new manager of Córdoba Club de Fútbol] (in Spanish). Córdoba CF. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ "El Córdoba destituye a Curro Torres y apuesta por Rafa Navarro" [Córdoba dismiss Curro Torres and bet on Rafa Navarro] (in Spanish). Marca. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- ^ "Curro Torres, nuevo técnico del CD Lugo" [Curro Torres, new manager of CD Lugo] (in Spanish). CD Lugo. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Palacios, Xosé María (30 June 2020). "Juanfran, nuevo entrenador de un Lugo que lucha por la permanencia" [Juanfran, new manager of a Lugo fighting for survival] (in Spanish). La Voz de Galicia. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- ^ "Curro Torres, nuevo entrenador de la Cultural" [Curro Torres, new manager of Cultural] (in Spanish). LeoNoticias. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ Barrueco, H. (30 May 2022). "La Cultural confirma el secreto a voces: Curro Torres no sigue" [Cultural confirm the open secret: Curro Torres is not continuing] (in Spanish). LeoNoticias. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Curro Torres entrenará en Estonia" [Curro Torres will manage in Estonia] (in Spanish). Super Deporte. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Igor Prins: olen väga rahul mängijate panuse ja võitlusega" [Igor Prins: I am very satisfied with the contribution and fight of the players] (in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
"Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
"Segunda División B (Grupo 3) 2015–16" [Segunda División B (Group 3) 2015–16] (in Spanish). Futbolme. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
"Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 July 2016. - ^ "Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "Curro Torres". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ "Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ "Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Curro Torres: Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ "Premium liiga kuu parimate auhinnad lähevad Levadiale" [Best of the month awards in Premium League go to Levadia] (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Premium liiga kuu parimad rändavad Paidesse ja Tallinnasse" [Best of the month in Premium League travel to Paide and Tallinn] (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
External links
edit- Curro Torres at BDFutbol
- Curro Torres manager profile at BDFutbol
- CiberChe biography and stats (in Spanish)
- Curro Torres at National-Football-Teams.com
- Curro Torres – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Curro Torres at EU-Football.info