Former Liverpool goalkeeper coach Jose Manuel Ochotorena has died at the age of 64, it was confirmed on Monday morning. The Spaniard was brought to Anfield by manager Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2004 and was part of the back team that won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
The former Spain international spent three years with Benitez on Merseyside before leaving in 2007. On Monday morning, his former club Valencia confirmed his death, while the shot-stopper’s other team, Real Madrid, also released a statement of condolence.
“Valencia CF regrets with deep sadness the passing of Jose Manuel Ochotorena, goalkeeping coach, former player and club legend, at the age of 64,” Valencia said in a statement.
“The club would like to express its condolences to his family and friends and joins them in this moment of great pain.
“Ochotorena stands out as a true benchmark in the development of goalkeepers, combining his work at Valencia CF with that of the first team of the Spanish national team until 2021 and taking an active part in the major achievements of its history, such as the conquest of the Euro 2008, 2012 and 2010 World Cups.”
Real Madrid said: “Real Madrid CF, the President and the Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the passing of José Manuel Ochotorena, one of our club’s legendary goalkeepers.
“Real Madrid sends its condolences to his family, teammates, loved ones and all the clubs he played for. Ochotorena wore the Real Madrid shirt for six seasons from 1982 to 1988, during which time he won two UEFA Cups, three La Liga titles and one Copa de la Liga title.”
“As well as his time at Real Madrid, he also played for Valencia, Tenerife, Logrones and Racing de Santander. During his time at Valencia, he won the Zamora Trophy in 1989-1990. He also played for the Spanish national team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.”
“Ochotorena went on to have a successful career as a goalkeeping coach at clubs such as Valencia and Liverpool, and also won one World Cup and two European Cups with the Spanish national team (2004-2021).”
Liverpool shot-stopper Giorgi Mamadashvili has revealed that Ochotorena contacted him for advice on a move to Merseyside following his summer move from Valencia to the Reds, and that the coach was the first person he turned to when interest from the Premier League champions surfaced.
“Ochotorena is a great person and a great coach,” Mamadashvili said in July. “In fact, he was one of the first people I spoke to about Liverpool’s offer and he told me directly, ‘Just sign the contract,’ because he knows what a big club Liverpool are and I just want to say thank you to him.”
