Esteban Vigo

Esteban Vigo Benítez (born 17 January 1955 in Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia) is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current coach.

Playing career

Known as Esteban during his playing days, he had his first professional spell with local CD Málaga, achieving La Liga promotion in 1975–76. He subsequently attracted attention from country giants FC Barcelona where he was regularly used during 10 seasons, although never an undisputed starter (tops 23 matches in 1980–81). He also scored the winner in a 3–1 Copa del Rey defeat of Sporting de Gijón, also in that season.

Esteban returned to his first club in 1987, retiring four years later. He gained three caps for Spain during a two-month span, as the nation prepared for its FIFA World Cup – he did not make the final cut. He also represented Spain at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Manager career

Taking up coaching afterwards, Vigo began in his local Andalusia, with UD Almería, and continued to coach mainly in the region, also having an abroad spell in Romania.

In 2008–09, he led Xerez CD to its first top level promotion but, in July 2009, switched to another side in the category, moving to Hércules CF, and achieving the same as runner-up, with the Alicante club returning to the top flight after 13 years.

On 21 March 2011, Vigo was sacked by Hércules, following a 0–4 home loss against CA Osasuna. It was the club's fourth consecutive defeat of the season, winning just one point out of 15...
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