Francisco Yeste

{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1979)}}

{{family name hatnote|Yeste|Navarro|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Francisco Yeste

| image = Fran Yeste.JPG

| image_size =

| caption = Yeste taking a corner for Athletic Bilbao in 2005

| fullname = Francisco Javier Yeste Navarro{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2018/10/04/primera/1538677137_449212.html|title=¿Qué fue de Fran Yeste? El '10' de Basauri que rugió en La Catedral|trans-title=What happened to Fran Yeste? The '10' from Basauri who roared at The Cathedral|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Mayca|last=Jiménez|language=es|date=4 October 2018|access-date=7 May 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|12|6|df=y}}

| birth_place = Basauri, Spain

| height = 1.84 m{{cite web|url=https://www.aupaathletic.com/francisco-javier-yeste-navarro/futbolista/10|title=Yeste|publisher=Aupa Athletic|language=es|access-date=23 April 2025}}

| position = Attacking midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1991–1997 | youthclubs1 = Athletic Bilbao

| years1 = 1997–1998 | clubs1 = Basconia | caps1 = 38 | goals1 = 7

| years2 = 1998–2000 | clubs2 = Bilbao Athletic | caps2 = 34 | goals2 = 2

| years3 = 1999–2010 | clubs3 = Athletic Bilbao | caps3 = 302 | goals3 = 50

| years4 = 2010–2011 | clubs4 = Al Wasl | caps4 = 21 | goals4 = 9

| years5 = 2011–2012 | clubs5 = Olympiacos | caps5 = 5 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2012 | clubs6 = Baniyas | caps6 = 7 | goals6 = 0

| totalcaps = 407 | totalgoals = 68

| nationalyears1 = 1998 | nationalteam1 = Spain U18 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1999 | nationalteam2 = Spain U20 | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2000–2001 | nationalteam3 = Spain U21 | nationalcaps3 = 12 | nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2003–2007 | nationalteam4 = Basque Country | nationalcaps4 = 5 | nationalgoals4 = 3

| manageryears1 = 2014 | managerclubs1 = Eldense

| manageryears2 = 2016 | managerclubs2 = Eldense

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{ESP}}}}

{{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCompetition|FIFA World Youth Championship}}

{{Medal|W|1999 Nigeria|}}

}}

Francisco "Fran" Javier Yeste Navarro (born 6 December 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or a left winger.

He spent 12 years of his career with Athletic Bilbao (19 including his youth one), appearing in 353 competitive matches and scoring 59 goals. He also played in the United Arab Emirates and Greece, and later worked briefly as a manager.

Club career

=Athletic Bilbao=

Born in Basauri, Biscay, and a product of Athletic Bilbao's youth academy at Lezama, Yeste made his first-team debut on 7 February 1999, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away loss against Racing de Santander.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1999/02/08/deportes/918428413_850215.html|title=El Racing gana al Athletic y acaba con el gafe en casa|trans-title=Racing defeat Athletic and end home jinx|newspaper=El País|first=Mauro|last=Muriendas|language=es|date=8 February 1999|access-date=17 May 2016}} He would total a further 13 appearances over that and the following seasons, while mainly registered with the reserves.

From 2000–01 onwards, Yeste was used regularly by the main squad, scoring six La Liga goals that year including two in a 4–0 home win over Real Oviedo on 10 December 2000.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2000/12/10/deportes/976473208.html|title={{sic|nolink=y|Yelde}}, con dos tantos, abrió la goleada que cerraron Javi y Julen|trans-title=Yeste, with two goals, started rout that Javi and Julen ended|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=10 December 2000|access-date=}} After regular displays in 2003–04 he won a callup for Spain, although he did not make his debut;{{cite web|url=http://www.esmas.com/deportes/futbolinternacional/395194.html|title=Xavi y Yeste, novedades en España|trans-title=Xavi and Yeste, new to Spain|publisher=Es Más|language=es|date=1 October 2004|access-date=11 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930070629/http://www.esmas.com/deportes/futbolinternacional/395194.html|archive-date=30 September 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodicoextremadura.com/noticias/deportes/yeste-es-sorpresa-de-seleccion-espanola_134164.html|title=Yeste es la ´sorpresa´ de la selección española|trans-title=Yeste is the 'surprise' in Spanish national team|newspaper=El Periódico Extremadura|language=es|date=2 October 2004|access-date=7 May 2019}} he scored a career-best eleven goals in the latter campaign,{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20220630/1001829622/yeste-urzaiz-pichichis-athletic-aduriz.html|title=Yeste y Urzaiz fueron pichichis del Athletic antes que Aduriz|trans-title=Yeste and Urzaiz were Athletic top scorers before Aduriz|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Iñaki|last=Ugalde|language=es|date=30 June 2022|access-date=23 April 2025}} with the Basques finishing fifth and qualifying for the UEFA Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.lainformacion.com/deporte/el-athletic-acabara-octavo-y-lograra-su-mejor-clasificacion-en-los-ultimos-seis-anos_7t5rinbbojtwcjpg6kdcq2/|title=El Athletic acabará octavo y logrará su mejor clasificación en los últimos seis años|trans-title=Athletic will finish eighth and will have their best ranking of last six years|newspaper=La Información|language=es|date=9 May 2010|access-date=23 April 2025}}

At times troubled with injuries,{{cite web|url=https://es.uefa.com/news-media/news/01a7-0f846a9dd83a-0967dedc9f92-1000--yeste-estara-de-dos-a-tres-semanas-de-baja/|title=Yeste estará de dos a tres semanas de baja|trans-title=Yeste out for two to three weeks|publisher=UEFA|first=Darío|last=López|language=es|date=4 March 2005|access-date=23 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2007/07/25/futbol/1185360458.html|title=Yeste se pierde el inicio de la Liga|trans-title=Yeste to miss beginning of the League|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=25 July 2007|access-date=23 April 2025}} Yeste continued to feature prominently, playing all the league matches in 2006–07 as Athletic barely avoided relegation (17th) and scoring five goals in the process.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2018/05/22/primera/1526944285_402844.html|title=El segundo peor Athletic de la historia demanda una revolución|trans-title=Second-worst Athletic in history demand a revolution|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Alfonso|last=Herrán|language=es|date=22 May 2018|access-date=23 April 2025}} A player of volatile temperament,{{cite news|url=http://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2010-02-11/otro-arrebato-yeste-20100211.html|title=Otro arrebato de Yeste|trans-title=Another Yeste outburst|newspaper=El Correo|first=Juan Pablo|last=Martín|language=es|date=11 February 2010|access-date=17 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Yeste/vuelve/Liga/meses/despues/elpepudep/20100325elpepidep_11/Tes|title=Yeste vuelve a la Liga dos meses después|trans-title=Yeste returns to the League two months later|newspaper=El País|first=Eduardo|last=Rodrigálvarez|language=es|date=25 March 2010|access-date=11 June 2010}} he was also sent off five times from 2007 to 2009 and added 14 yellow cards,{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2009/04/27/mas_futbol/1240783225_850215.html|title=El Athletic lleva 7 expulsiones en 7 partidos, 5 en los 4 últimos|trans-title=Athletic have 7 ejections in 7 matches, 5 in last 4|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=27 April 2009|access-date=3 May 2017}} one of the ejections occurring after he pushed Real Madrid's Iker Casillas in a 2–5 home defeat.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/03/15/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1237074284.html|title=Casillas: "Yeste no me da en la cara, pero me empuja"|trans-title=Casillas: "Yeste does not hit my face, but he pushes me"|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=15 March 2009|access-date=10 June 2010}}

Yeste featured irregularly in the 2009–10 season, also being ousted by manager Joaquín Caparrós for more than one month.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/20100307/53896846403/noticia/yeste-no-convence-a-caparros.html|title=Yeste no convence a Caparrós|trans-title=Yeste does not convince Caparrós|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Ainara|last=San Cristóbal|language=es|date=7 March 2010|access-date=10 June 2010}} In the first match upon his return, a 2–0 loss at Atlético Madrid on 25 March 2010, he was booked.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20100326/forlan-aguero-reenganchan-atletico/325377.shtml|title=Forlán y Agüero reenganchan al Atlético|trans-title=Forlán and Agüero put Atlético back in the mix|publisher=RTVE|language=es|date=25 March 2010|access-date=7 May 2019}}

On 21 May 2010, after his contract expired, Yeste announced his departure from the club through his agent.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=9674&idi=2|title=Thanks to Francisco Javier Yeste|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=21 May 2010|access-date=10 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003003923/http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=9674&idi=2|archive-date=3 October 2012}}

=United Arab Emirates=

On 19 June 2010, Yeste agreed to a two-year deal with Al Wasl.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2010/06/19/mas_futbol/1276898403_850215.html|title=Fran Yeste se marcha al Al Wasl de Dubai|trans-title=Fran Yeste goes to Dubai's Al Wasl|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Javi|last=Beltrán|language=es|date=19 June 2010|access-date=23 April 2025}} In March of the following year, during the 2010–11 Etisalat Emirates Cup semi-final against Al Ain, the opponents took the lead before the 50th minute (49:27) and, as they were still celebrating, he shot from the centre circle to score a goal that was described by Dutch news site Voetbal Stijl as "The fastest equaliser in the history of football" (49:54).{{cite web|url=http://www.voetbalstijl.nl/2011/03/14/speler-al-wasl-maakt-snelste-tegendoelpunt-allertijden/|title=GOAL: Speler Al Wasl maakt snelste tegendoelpunt allertijden|trans-title=GOAL: Al Wasl player scores the fastest equaliser in the history of football|publisher=Voetbal Stijl|language=nl|date=14 March 2011|access-date=16 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315234913/http://www.voetbalstijl.nl/2011/03/14/speler-al-wasl-maakt-snelste-tegendoelpunt-allertijden/|archive-date=15 March 2011}}

There was controversy surrounding the legality of the goal, as Yeste shot the ball directly without having the ball passed from the centre circle, whilst another player was inside it, but it was later confirmed as valid, as the ball hit the ground just before crossing the goal line, and the other player inside the circle was from Al Ain.{{cite news|url=http://www.emaratalyoum.com/sports/local/2011-03-12-1.366869|script-title=ar:درويش: لا غبار على هدف يستي وركلتي العين والشــــــــباب|trans-title=Darwish: No doubts on Yeste's goal and Al Ain and Al Shabab calls|newspaper=Emarat Al Youm|first=Mansour|last=Al-Sindi|language=ar|date=12 March 2011|access-date=16 March 2011}}

=Later career=

Yeste signed with Greek champions Olympiacos in July 2011, reuniting with his former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f3-0e78fd5ae5e3-8d52062fd0db-1000--yeste-reunited-with-valverde-at-olympiacos/|title=Yeste reunited with Valverde at Olympiacos|publisher=UEFA|date=22 July 2011|access-date=23 April 2025}} On 17 January 2012, his one-year contract was mutually terminated,{{cite web|url=https://www.olympiacos.org/2012/01/17/lythike-i-synergasia-me-ton-fran-geste/|title=Λύθηκε η συνεργασία με τον Φραν Γέστε|trans-title=Cooperation with Fran Yeste terminated|publisher=Olympiacos F.C.|language=el|date=17 January 2012|access-date=23 April 2025}} and he had previously been subject to disciplinary proceedings for undergoing arthroscopy in Vitoria-Gasteiz without notifying the club;{{cite news|url=https://www.deia.eus/futbol/2011/10/05/olympiacos-multa-yeste-operacion-gasteiz-5509925.html|title=El Olympiacos multa a Yeste tras su operación en Gasteiz|trans-title=Olympiacos fine Yeste following his surgery in Gasteiz|newspaper=Deia|language=es|date=5 October 2011|access-date=23 April 2025}} the following day, he returned to the United Arab Emirates and joined Baniyas for six months.{{cite news|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sports/football/im-more-happy-with-bani-yas-than-with-al-wasl-yeste|title=I’m more happy with Bani Yas than with Al Wasl: Yeste|newspaper=Khaleej Times|first=James|last=Jose|date=26 April 2012|access-date=23 April 2025}}

After retiring, Yeste was briefly in charge of lower-league Eldense; in the first of his two spells, he was suspended for three months by the Royal Spanish Football Federation for not possessing the necessary coaching badges.{{cite news|url=https://www.informacion.es/deportes/2017/07/28/tecnicos-eldense-yeste-albes-reciben-6396101.html|title=Los técnicos del Eldense Yeste y Albés reciben la misma sanción que Zidane|trans-title=Eldense managers Yeste and Albés get same punishment as Zidane|newspaper=Diario Información|first=Antonio|last=Juan|language=es|date=October 2014|access-date=23 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/2016/05/17/573a4d7e468aeb060c8b45e0.html|title=Fran Yeste dirigirá al Eldense la próxima temporada|trans-title=Fran Yeste will coach Eldense the next season|newspaper=Marca|first=Antonio|last=Juan|language=es|date=17 May 2016|access-date=23 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/mas-futbol/2016/09/12/57d69c8ee2704eba4d8b45af.html|title=El Eldense destituye a Fran Yeste|trans-title=Eldense dismiss Fran Yeste|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=12 September 2016|access-date=23 April 2025}} He was also a youth manager at Arenas de Getxo.{{cite news|url=https://www.elcorreo.com/athletic/noticias/201601/29/fran-yeste-nuevo-entrenador-20160129221146.html|title=Fran Yeste, nuevo entrenador del Juvenil Nacional del Arenas de Getxo|trans-title=Fran Yeste, new manager of Arenas de Getxo's Juvenil Nacional|newspaper=El Correo|language=es|date=29 January 2016|access-date=23 April 2025}}

International career

Yeste made five appearances for Spain at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, starting the 3–1 win over Honduras in the group stage for the eventual champions.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1999/abril/12/deportes/espana.html|title=España bate a Honduras y se medirá a Estados unidos en octavos de final|trans-title=Spain beat Honduras and will face the United States in last 16|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=12 April 1999|access-date=23 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cuadernosdefutbol.com/2014/05/campeonato-del-mundo-sub20-1999-iii-espana-se-corona-en-nigeria/|title=Campeonato del Mundo sub’20 1999 (III): España se corona en Nigeria|trans-title=1999 Under'20 World Cup (III): Spain crowned in Nigeria|publisher=Cuadernos de Fútbol|first=Óscar|last=Díez|language=es|date=1 May 2014|access-date=23 April 2025}}

Honours

Basconia

  • Tercera División: 1997–98{{cite news|url=https://www.deia.eus/futbol/2023/06/01/mendilibar-bendita-tombola-sevillismo-6879056.html|title=Mendilibar y la bendita tómbola para el sevillismo|trans-title=Mendilibar and the holy bingo for Sevilla|newspaper=Deia|first=Eduardo|last=Oyarzabal|language=es|date=1 June 2023|access-date=23 April 2025}}

Athletic Bilbao

Olympiacos

  • Super League Greece: 2011–12{{cite news|url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite5_16135_19/04/2012_438426|title=Olympiakos coach Valverde will leave club in May|newspaper=Kathimerini|first=George|last=Georgakopoulos|date=19 April 2012|access-date=23 April 2025}}

Spain U20

  • FIFA World Youth Championship: 1999{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/04/17/futbol/seleccion/1239983100.html|title=Qué fue de los campeones del mundo sub20|trans-title=What happened to the under-20 world champions|newspaper=Marca|first=Miguel Ángel|last=García|language=es|date=17 April 2009|access-date=3 May 2017}}

References

{{reflist}}