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You are eternal, Joaquín

The coach with the most matches under his belt in Málaga CF’s history, Joaquín Peiró, passed away today in Madrid. A Malaguista coach and true Spanish footballing legend. Rest in Peace.

Málaga Club de Fútbol is in mourning. One of the most relevant and important personalities in the Club’s history, since it was re-founded in 1994, is now eternal among Blue and White legends.

An exceptional player

Joaquín Peiró Lucas was born in Madrid on 29th January 1936. An old-school goal-scorer of enormous quality, he started out as a young player in clubs such as Covadonga, Tolosa, Jusa and AD Ferroviaria, on loan from Atlético de Madrid. Whilst on loan to Real Murcia in the 54/55 campaign, he scored 15 goals in 22 games, before beginning a brilliant journey with the Colchonero outfit between 1955 and 1962. Peiró, together with Collar, formed the famous ‘ala infernal’, which became a total Atlético trademark. His stats are overwhelming: 166 League matches and 92 goals; 36 Cup games scoring 20 goals; 10 Europa Cup games scoring 6 goals; and 9 Cup Winners’ Cup matches scoring 6 goals.

He became the second Spanish player after Luis Suárez to move to Italian football, furthering his career with Torino (1962-64), Inter Milan (1964-66) and Roma (1966-70). With Inter, under the orders of Helenio Herrera, he was proclaimed European champion in 64/65.

Coaching history with Málaga CF

With the reserve team of the club that saw him grow, Atlético Madrileño, Peiró kicked off his long coaching career (1978-85). He was in charge of Granada CF (85-88), Figueres (88-90), Atlético de Madrid (10 matches in 89/90), Real Murcia (91-93) and Badajoz (97/98), before signing to a newly promoted Second Division side. Málaga CF. At Martiricos, during his first year (98/99) the team won the league and moved up to the First Division, to the delight of the fans.

Peiró became a legendary coach with a Malaguista legacy of 193 League matches (151 in the First Division, 42 in the Second), 15 Copa del Rey games, 10 in the UEFA Cup and 6 in the Intertoto Cup, the latter being a title won by MCF, and the only official one in the history of the Club under any name. In total, he accumulated 224 matches with 89 victories, 71 draws and 64 defeats. After a magical five years (1998-03) he left to move to Murcia in 03/04.

Achievements and international

As a player, as well as the aforementioned European Cup with Inter, he won a European Cup Winners’ Cup, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 2 Leagues, 1 Italian Cup and 2 Spanish Copas del Generalísimo titles. As coach, as well as First Division promotion as league champion and the Intertoto with Málaga, he moved up to the silver division with Granada CF and Atlético Madrileño (one promotion with each team).

With Spain, Peiró debuted in 1956 with the first team (scoring against Portugal) and accumulated 12 caps with 5 goals. He played 4 games in 2 World Cups, Chile ’62 and England ’66, scoring the winning goal against Mexico in the World Cup held in Chile, which was won by Brazil with an injured Pelé and the magic of Garrincha.

Recent years

Joaquín Peiró led a quiet life in recent years, away from the spotlight, with his family. To celebrate his 80th birthday, the Club wanted to bring him from Madrid to Málaga to honour and recognise this giant figure. His family, although grateful for the gesture and taking into consideration Joaquín’s health, decided it was best he continued with his usual routine and avoid unexpected situations. The entity sent him a framed photograph featuring him surrounded by players during the First Division promotion (98/99), signed by Antonio Benítez, Abdullah Ben Barek and Paco Martín Aguilar, as well as a letter of thanks for his unforgettable service to the Club.

Farewell, LEGEND!