Former Liverpool goalkeeping coach Jose Manuel Ochotorena has died at the age of 64, the club has confirmed. The Spaniard, who also enjoyed a distinguished playing career, passed away as tributes poured in from his former clubs.
Ochotorena was appointed by Rafael Benitez after the Spanish manager took over at Anfield in 2004. He spent three years at Liverpool, forming part of the backroom staff that guided the Reds to victory in the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006.
As a player, Ochotorena represented Real Madrid, Valencia, Tenerife, Logrones and Racing de Santander. He won the Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper with Valencia in the 1989-90 season and played for Spain at the 1990 World Cup. After retiring, he became a highly regarded goalkeeping coach, working with Valencia and Liverpool, and was part of the Spanish national team’s coaching staff from 2004 to 2021, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships.
Valencia described him as a “legend of the club”, while Real Madrid also paid tribute. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who joined from Valencia in the summer, revealed that Ochotorena advised him to accept the move. “He was one of the first people I spoke to about Liverpool’s offer and he told me, ‘Just sign the contract’,” Mamardashvili said.
