Julio Velázquez

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Julio Velázquez

| image = Julio Velázquez.jpg

| caption =

| fullname = Julio Velázquez Santiago

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|10|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Salamanca, Spain

| height = 1.78 m

| position =

| currentclub = Levski Sofia (manager)

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =

| years1 = | clubs1 = | caps1 = | goals1 =

| manageryears1 = 1997–2000 | managerclubs1 = San Nicolás (youth)

| manageryears2 = 2000–2002 | managerclubs2 = Sur (youth)

| manageryears3 = 2002–2003 | managerclubs3 = Betis Valladolid (youth)

| manageryears4 = 2003–2004 | managerclubs4 = Laguna (youth)

| manageryears5 = 2004–2005 | managerclubs5 = Peña Respuela

| manageryears6 = 2006–2007 | managerclubs6 = Arandina

| manageryears7 = 2007–2008 | managerclubs7 = Atlético Villacarlos

| manageryears8 = 2008–2009 | managerclubs8 = Poli Ejido (youth)

| manageryears9 = 2009–2010 | managerclubs9 = Valladolid (youth)

| manageryears10 = 2010 | managerclubs10 = Valladolid B

| manageryears11 = 2010–2011 | managerclubs11 = Poli Ejido

| manageryears12 = 2011 | managerclubs12 = Villarreal C

| manageryears13 = 2011–2012 | managerclubs13 = Villarreal B

| manageryears14 = 2012–2013 | managerclubs14 = Villarreal

| manageryears15 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs15 = Murcia

| manageryears16 = 2014 | managerclubs16 = Betis

| manageryears17 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs17 = Belenenses

| manageryears18 = 2016–2018 | managerclubs18 = Alcorcón

| manageryears19 = 2018 | managerclubs19 = Udinese

| manageryears20 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs20 = Vitória Setúbal

| manageryears21 = 2021 | managerclubs21 = Marítimo

| manageryears22 = 2022 | managerclubs22 = Alavés

| manageryears23 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs23 = Fortuna Sittard

| manageryears24 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs24 = Zaragoza

| manageryears25 = 2025– | managerclubs25 = Levski Sofia

}}

Julio Velázquez Santiago (born 5 October 1981) is a Spanish football manager, currently in charge of Bulgarian First League club Levski Sofia.

He began coaching at 15, and was the youngest ever Segunda División manager with Villarreal B at 30. He managed four other teams in that league, and Alavés in La Liga.

Abroad, Velázquez spent several years in Portugal's Primeira Liga with Belenenses, Vitória de Setúbal and Marítimo. He also had a brief spell in the Italian Serie A at Udinese, and the Dutch Eredivisie with Fortuna Sittard.

Football career

=Early years=

Velázquez started training at the age of only 15, being in charge of youth teams in his hometown of Salamanca.{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/2014/07/20/betis/371232.html|title=Así es Julio Velázquez|trans-title=Meet Julio Velázquez|publisher=Vavel|last=Gelo|first=José Manuel|language=es|date=20 July 2014|access-date=24 May 2018}} His first job as a senior came in 2004, with AD Peña Respuela in the regional leagues.{{cite news|url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/presion-tenia-llegaba-fin-mes/20121026dasdaiftb_2/Tes|title="Presión tenía cuando no llegaba a fin de mes"|trans-title="Pressure was when I could not make ends meet"|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Mata|first=Javier|language=es|date=26 October 2012|access-date=26 October 2012}}

Velázquez made his debut in the national leagues in 2010–11, being appointed at Polideportivo Ejido in the Segunda División B. He resigned in March, days after sporting director Enrique Burgos,{{cite news|url=https://www.ideal.es/almeria/v/20110319/deportes/poli-ejido/poli-ejido-julio-velazquez-20110319.html|title=Poli Ejido: Julio Velázquez también dimitió y ya no es entrenador del Poli Ejido|trans-title=Poli Ejido: Julio Velázquez also resigned and is no longer manager of Poli Ejido|newspaper=Ideal|last=Navarro|first=Javier|language=es|date=19 March 2011|access-date=17 October 2021}} and the Andalusians eventually finished 14th.

=Villarreal=

Velázquez then joined Villarreal CF's setup, first being in charge of the C side. On 24 December 2011, as José Francisco Molina left the reserves for the main squad, he was appointed his successor, thus becoming the youngest person ever to coach a club in the Segunda División, aged 30 years and two months.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/12/24/futbol/equipos/villarrealb/1324728203.html|title=Julio Velázquez se convierte en el técnico más joven de Segunda|trans-title=Julio Velázquez becomes youngest coach in Segunda|newspaper=Marca|last=Franch|first=Víctor|language=es|date=24 December 2011|access-date=1 November 2012}}

On 13 June 2012, following the Yellow Submarine's top-flight relegation – which meant the B's also had to drop down a tier even though they finished in 12th position in division two – Velázquez was named first-team manager.{{cite news|url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/julio-velazquez-coge-timon-villarreal/20120613dasdasftb_37/Tes|title=Julio Velázquez coge el timón del Villarreal para ascender|trans-title=Julio Velázquez takes reins of Villarreal with promotion in sight|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=13 June 2012|access-date=1 November 2012}} On 13 January of the following year, following a 1–1 away draw against UD Almería, he was relieved of his duties.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2013/01/13/segunda/1358106959_969690.html|title=Julio Velázquez deja de ser entrenador del Villarreal CF|trans-title=Julio Velázquez is no longer Villarreal CF coach|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=13 January 2013|access-date=16 December 2015}}

=Segunda División=

In the following years, Velázquez continued to work in the second division, being relegated with Real Murcia CF even though the side finished in fourth position and qualified for the play-offs,{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140607/futbol/1-0-el-murcia-luchara-por-el-ascenso-y-el-castilla-baja-a-segunda-b_54409726685.html|title=1–0. El Murcia luchará por el ascenso y el Castilla baja a Segunda B|trans-title=1–0. Murcia will fight for promotion and Castilla drop to Segunda B|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=7 June 2014|access-date=16 December 2015}} and being sacked by Real Betis after only five months in charge.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariodesevilla.es/article/realbetis/1795976/real/murcia/anuncia/la/salida/julio/velazquez/betis.html|title=Velázquez coge el timón|trans-title=Velázquez takes the reins|newspaper=Diario de Sevilla|last=Mérida|first=Javier|language=es|date=17 June 2014|access-date=16 December 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/11/25/segunda/1416952103_658274.html|title=El Betis echa a Velázquez y le suple Merino a la espera de Mel|trans-title=Betis sack Velázquez and replace him with Merino waiting on Mel|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Espina|first=José A.|language=es|date=25 November 2014|access-date=16 December 2015}} During roughly ten months and starting in December 2015, he was in charge of C.F. Os Belenenses in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-internacional/2015/12/16/5671913ee2704efc6e8b461c.html|title=Julio Velázquez, nuevo técnico de Os Belenenses|trans-title=Julio Velázquez, new manager of Os Belenenses|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=16 December 2015|access-date=26 April 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/belenenses/noticias/interior/julio-velazquez-deixa-o-comando-do-belenenses-5427004.html|title=Julio Velázquez deixa o comando do Belenenses|trans-title=Julio Velázquez no longer at the helm of Belenenses|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=6 October 2016|access-date=26 April 2018}}

Velázquez returned to his country and its second tier on 13 October 2016, signing with AD Alcorcón.{{cite news|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/20161013/41978151639/julio-velazquez-nuevo-entrenador-del-alcorcon.html|title=Julio Velázquez, nuevo entrenador del Alcorcón|trans-title=Julio Velázquez, new manager of Alcorcón|newspaper=La Vanguardia|language=es|date=13 October 2016|access-date=26 April 2018}} He eventually managed to steer them out of the relegation zone and also ousted RCD Espanyol in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey, renewing his contract a two further years after the latter achievement.{{cite web|url=http://www.europapress.es/deportes/futbol-00162/noticia-julio-velazquez-renueva-dos-temporada-mas-alcorcon-20161223191400.html|title=Julio Velázquez renueva por dos {{sic|nolink=y|temporada}} más con el Alcorcón|trans-title=Julio Velázquez renews with Alcorcón for two more seasons|publisher=Europa Press|language=es|date=23 December 2016|access-date=26 April 2018}}

=Italy and Portugal=

On 4 June 2018, after narrowly avoiding relegation, Velázquez left Alcorcón.{{cite web|url=https://www.adalcorcon.com/noticia/gracias-julio|title=Gracias Julio|trans-title=Thanks Julio|publisher=AD Alcorcón|language=es|date=4 June 2018|access-date=4 June 2018}} From June–November of the same year he was in charge of Udinese Calcio of the Italian Serie A, being dismissed after only two league wins.{{cite news|url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/udinese/2018/11/13-49969730/serie_a_udinese_ufficiale_esonerato_velazquez/?cookieAccept|title=Serie A Udinese, ufficiale: esonerato Velazquez. Nicola nuovo allenatore|trans-title=Serie A Udinese, official: Velazquez sacked. Nicola new manager|newspaper=Corriere dello Sport|language=it|date=13 November 2018|access-date=13 November 2018}}

Velázquez returned to the Portuguese top flight in November 2019, being appointed at Vitória F.C. until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/v--setubal/detalhe/jose-mourinho-e-jorge-jesus-atraem-velazquez|title=José Mourinho e Jorge Jesus atraem Velázquez|trans-title=José Mourinho and Jorge Jesus attract Velázquez|newspaper=Record|last=Lopes Pereira|first=Ricardo|language=pt|date=11 November 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}} He left by mutual consent the following 2 July, with the team three points above the relegation zone having not won any of the five games since the resumption of play following the COVID-19 break.{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/internacional/20200702/482057091192/julio-velazquez-deja-de-dirigir-al-vitoria-de-setubal.html|title=Julio Velázquez deja de dirigir al {{sic|nolink=y|Vitoria}} de Setúbal|trans-title=Julio Velázquez no longer managing Vitória de Setúbal|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=2 July 2020|access-date=6 July 2020}}

On 11 March 2021, Velázquez became C.S. Marítimo's third manager of the campaign at the last-placed side.{{cite news|url=https://www.dnoticias.pt/2021/3/9/253548-julio-velazquez-o-escolhido-para-render-milton-mendes/|title=Julio Velázquez é o escolhido para render Milton Mendes|trans-title=Julio Velázquez is chosen to replace Milton Mendes|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|last=Rosa|first=Emanuel|language=pt|date=9 March 2021|access-date=12 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.csmaritimo.org.pt/julio-velazquez-e-o-novo-treinador/|title=Julio Velázquez é o novo treinador|trans-title=Julio Velázquez is the new manager|publisher=C.S. Marítimo|last=Pereira|first=Nuno|language=pt|date=11 March 2021|access-date=11 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311135026/https://www.csmaritimo.org.pt/julio-velazquez-e-o-novo-treinador/|archive-date=11 March 2021}} His first match in charge was the following day, a 2–1 away win over C.D. Nacional in the Madeira derby.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/noticias/rodrigo-pinho-resolve-derbi-e-julio-velazquez-estreia-se-no-maritimo-com-vitoria-13452806.html|title=Rodrigo Pinho resolve dérbi e Julio Velázquez estreia-se no Marítimo com vitória|trans-title=Rodrigo Pinho decides derby and Julio Velázquez makes Marítimo debut with win|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=12 March 2021|access-date=12 March 2021}}

Velázquez was relieved of his duties on 11 November 2021, with his team second-bottom after 11 rounds.{{cite news|url=https://www.jn.pt/desporto/maritimo-rescinde-com-treinador-julio-velazquez-14310145.html|title=Marítimo rescinde com treinador Julio Velázquez|trans-title=Marítimo rescind with manager Julio Velázquez|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt|date=11 November 2021|access-date=12 November 2021}}

=Alavés=

Velázquez first reached his country's La Liga in April 2022, when he became Deportivo Alavés' third coach of the season after Javier Calleja and José Luis Mendilibar.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2022/04/04/primera/1649099420_886899.html|title=Mendilibar, destituido; Velázquez, nuevo entrenador del Alavés|trans-title=Mendilibar, dismissed; Velázquez, new manager of Alavés|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Lekuona|first=Javier|language=es|date=4 April 2022|access-date=6 April 2022}} One month later, after relegation as last, he left.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/alaves/2022/05/23/628b7a18e2704e1c668b45bb.html|title=Julio Velázquez deja de ser entrenador del Alavés|trans-title=Julio Velázquez is no longer manager of Alavés|newspaper=Marca|last=Suárez|first=Gari|language=es|date=23 May 2022|access-date=24 May 2022}}

=Fortuna Sittard=

On 9 September 2022, Velázquez signed a one-year deal with Fortuna Sittard, bottom in the Dutch Eredivisie.{{cite web|url=https://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=408167|title=De voorzitter krijgt zijn zin: Fortuna Sittard presenteert nieuwe trainer|trans-title=President gets his way: Fortuna Sittard present new manager|publisher=Voetbal Zone|last=Habets|first=Guy|language=nl|date=9 September 2022|access-date=29 September 2022}} He led them to their first victory of the campaign eight days later, 1–0 against Excelsior Rotterdam in spite of playing 15 minutes with one player less.{{cite web|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2444986-fortuna-van-laatste-plaats-af-na-winst-met-tien-man-bij-debuut-trainer-velazquez|title=Fortuna van laatste plaats af, na winst met tien man bij debuut trainer Velázquez|trans-title=Fortuna leave last place, following win with ten men by debutant coach Velázquez|publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|language=nl|date=17 September 2022|access-date=29 September 2022}} He was released at the end of his contract, having finished 13th.{{cite web|url=https://sittard-geleen.nieuws.nl/sport/20230528/wegen-julio-velazquez-en-fortuna-sittard-scheiden-zich/|title=Wegen Julio Velázquez en Fortuna Sittard scheiden zich|trans-title=Julio Velázquez and Fortuna Sittard go separate ways|publisher=Sittard-Geleen|language=nl|date=28 May 2023|access-date=22 July 2023}}

=Zaragoza=

On 20 November 2023, Velázquez replaced sacked Fran Escribá at the helm of Real Zaragoza, back in his country's second division.{{cite web|url=https://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/bienvenido-julio-velazquez|title=¡Bienvenido, Julio Velázquez!|trans-title=Welcome, Julio Velázquez!|publisher=Real Zaragoza|language=es|date=20 November 2023|access-date=21 November 2023}} He was dismissed the following 11 March.{{cite web|url=https://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/el-zaragoza-y-julio-velazquez-finalizan-su-relacion-contractual|title=El Real Zaragoza y Julio Velázquez finalizan su relación contractual|trans-title=Real Zaragoza and Julio Velázquez end their contractual relationship|publisher=Real Zaragoza|language=es|date=11 March 2024|access-date=12 March 2024}}

=Levski Sofia=

On 5 January 2025, Velázquez became head coach of PFC Levski Sofia in the Bulgarian First League on a contract until June 2026.{{cite web|url=https://levski.bg/%d1%85%d1%83%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%be-%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b5%d1%81-%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b8%d1%8f%d1%82-%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b0%d1%80%d1%88%d0%b8-%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%8c%d0%be/|title=Хулио Веласкес е новият старши треньор на „Левски“ (ВИДЕО)|trans-title=Julio Velázquez is the new manager of Levski (VIDEO)|publisher=PFC Levski|language=bg|date=5 January 2025|access-date=5 January 2025}}

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="8"\|Record
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|GF\|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip\|GA\|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip\|GD\|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align=center\|Valladolid B \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|1 February 2010 \|align=center\|25 May 2010 {{WDL\|18\|11\|2\|5\|for=42\|against=22\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Poli Ejido \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|25 May 2010 \|align=center\|15 March 2011 {{WDL\|33\|11\|9\|13\|for=36\|against=44\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Villarreal C \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|1 July 2011 \|aligh-center\|22 December 2011 {{WDL\|21\|9\|5\|7\|for=36\|against=31\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Villarreal B \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|22 December 2011 \|align=center\|13 June 2012 {{WDL\|24\|10\|4\|10\|for=28\|against=32\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Villarreal \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|13 June 2012 \|align=center\|13 January 2013 {{WDL\|22\|8\|8\|6\|for=25\|against=21\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Murcia \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|10 July 2013 \|align=center\|16 June 2014 {{WDL\|45\|16\|18\|11\|for=56\|against=48\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Betis \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|16 June 2014 \|align=center\|24 November 2014 {{WDL\|16\|7\|4\|5\|for=22\|against=19\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Belenenses \|{{flagicon\|POR}} \|align=center\|17 December 2015 \|align=center\|6 October 2016 {{WDL\|31\|10\|11\|10\|for=41\|against=47\|diff=yes}}
align=center\| Alcorcón \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|13 October 2016 \|align=center\|4 June 2018 {{WDL\|82\|24\|28\|30\|for=71\|against=85\|diff=yes}}
align=centre\| Udinese \|{{flagicon\|ITA}} \|align=centre\|7 June 2018 \|align=centre\|13 November 2018 {{WDL\|13\|2\|3\|8\|for=12\|against=20\|diff=yes}}
align=centre\| Vitória Setúbal \|{{flagicon\|POR}} \|align=centre\|11 November 2019 \|align=centre\|2 July 2020 {{WDL\|21\|4\|7\|10\|for=21\|against=38\|diff=yes}}
align=centre\| Marítimo \|{{flagicon\|POR}} \|align=centre\|11 March 2021 \|align=centre\|11 November 2021 {{WDL\|25\|6\|7\|12\|for=20\|against=35\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Alavés \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|5 April 2022 \|align=center\|23 May 2022 {{WDL\|8\|3\|0\|5\|for=7\|against=13\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Fortuna Sittard \|{{flagicon\|NED}} \|align=center\|12 September 2022 \|align=center\|28 May 2023 {{WDL\|28\|10\|5\|13\|for=31\|against=44\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Zaragoza \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=center\|20 November 2023 \|align=center\|11 March 2024 {{WDL\|14\|3\|6\|5\|for=14\|against=12\|diff=yes}}
align=center\|Levski Sofia \|{{flagicon\|BUL}} \|align=center\|5 January 2025 \|align=center\|Present {{WDL\|12\|6\|4\|2\|for=20\|against=12\|diff=yes}}
colspan="4"\|Total {{WDLtot\|413\|140\|121\|152\|for=480\|against=523\|diff=yes}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|Nat

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="8"|Record

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}