Manuel Iturra

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Manuel Iturra

| image =

| fullname = Manuel Rolando Iturra Urrutia

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|6|23|df=y}}

| birth_place = Temuco, Chile

| height = {{convert|1.74|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web |title=Manuel Iturra |url=https://www.malagacf.com/jugador/iturra |website=Málaga CF |access-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105903/https://www.malagacf.com/jugador/iturra |archive-date=22 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}

| position = Defensive midfielder

| currentclub = Universidad de Chile (assistant)

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Universidad de Chile

| years1 = 2003–2012

| clubs1 = Universidad de Chile

| caps1 = 216

| goals1 = 6

| years2 = 2011

| clubs2 = → União Leiria (loan)

| caps2 = 11

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2011–2012

| clubs3 = → Murcia (loan)

| caps3 = 35

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2012–2013

| clubs4 = Málaga

| caps4 = 25

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2013–2015

| clubs5 = Granada

| caps5 = 64

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2015–2016

| clubs6 = Udinese

| caps6 = 17

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2016

| clubs7 = → Rayo Vallecano (loan)

| caps7 = 6

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2016–2017

| clubs8 = Necaxa

| caps8 = 47

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2018

| clubs9 = Málaga

| caps9 = 20

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2018–2019

| clubs10 = Villarreal

| caps10 = 3

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2019

| clubs11 = Maccabi Haifa

| caps11 = 2

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2019

| clubs12 = Deportes Iquique

| caps12 = 10

| goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2021–2022

| clubs13 = Atlético Marbellí

| caps13 = 7

| goals13 = 0

| totalcaps = 463

| totalgoals = 8

| nationalyears1 = 2005–2012

| nationalteam1 = Chile

| nationalcaps1 = 33

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| manageryears1 = 2021–2022 | managerclubs1 = UD San Pedro (youth)

| manageryears2 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs2 = Universidad de Chile (youth)

| manageryears3 = 2024– | managerclubs3 = Universidad de Chile (assistant)

}}

Manuel Rolando Iturra Urrutia ({{IPA|es-419|ma'nwel i'tura|lang}}; born 23 June 1984) is a Chilean former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He currently is an assistant coach at Universidad de Chile.

Club career

=U. Chile and Leiria=

Born in Temuco, Iturra made his Primera División debut with Club Universidad de Chile in 2003, aged 19. He proceeded to be a first-team regular from his second season onwards, helping La U to the 2004 and 2009 Apertura tournaments.{{cite news|url=http://www.latercera.com/contenido/692_125334_9.shtml|title=Manuel Iturra celebrará 200 partidos con la "U" ante Cruzeiro|trans-title=Manuel Iturra to celebrate 200 games with the "U" against Cruzeiro|newspaper=La Tercera|language=es|date=7 May 2009|access-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724032440/http://www.latercera.com/contenido/692_125334_9.shtml|archive-date=24 July 2015}}

In January 2011, Iturra was loaned to U.D. Leiria in Portugal,{{cite web|url=http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=76631|title=Portugal/ Official, União Leiria signed Iturra|publisher=Transfermarketweb|date=10 January 2011|access-date=7 November 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715211015/http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=76631|archive-date=15 July 2014}} first appearing in the Primeira Liga on 12 February when he played the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away win against C.D. Nacional.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2011/02/12/desporto/noticia/u-leiria-derrota-nacional-e-regressa-as-vitorias-1479980|title=U. Leiria derrota Nacional e regressa às vitórias|trans-title=U. Leiria defeat Nacional and return to wins|newspaper=Público|first=Manuel|last=Mendes|language=pt|date=12 February 2011|access-date=30 December 2017}} He started in all but one of the league matches he featured in for the club, as it eventually finished in tenth position.

=Spain=

For 2011–12, Iturra joined Real Murcia of the Spanish Segunda División.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=902986|title=El Murcia ficha al centrocampista internacional chileno Manuel Iturra|trans-title=Murcia sign Chilean international midfielder Manuel Iturra|newspaper=ABC|location=Madrid|language=es|date=19 August 2011|access-date=7 November 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231636/http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=902986|archive-date=14 July 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/deportes/2011/08/26/iturra-llega-cedido-club-guarda-opcion-compra-final-liga/346357.html|title=Iturra llega cedido y el club se guarda una opción de compra al final de la Liga|trans-title=Iturra arrives on loan and club reserves buyout option at the end of the League|newspaper=La Opinión de Murcia|first=Diego|last=Gamés|language=es|date=26 August 2011|access-date=18 January 2019}} After featuring heavily during the campaign he returned to Universidad, where he had his contract terminated.

On 28 August 2012, free agent Iturra became the first summer signing of Málaga CF, as a direct replacement for Enzo Maresca who had moved to U.C. Sampdoria a few days before.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/10/26/futbol/equipos/malaga/1351242630.html|title=El fichaje más barato del jeque|trans-title=The sheikh's cheapest signing|newspaper=Marca|first=Jesús|last=Ballesteros|language=es|date=26 October 2012|access-date=27 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520022918/http://www.marca.com/2012/10/26/futbol/equipos/malaga/1351242630.html|archive-date=20 May 2013}} He made his official debut on 18 September in the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League group stage match, coming on as a half-time substitute for Francisco Portillo in a 3–0 home victory over FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0201-0e7f1706a0b1-9602134c09f5-1000--magical-malaga-make-it-a-debut-to-remember/|title=Magical Málaga make it a debut to remember|publisher=UEFA|date=18 September 2012|access-date=19 September 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016071422/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season%3D2013/matches/round%3D2000347/match%3D2009500/postmatch/report/index.html|archive-date=16 October 2013}}

Iturra scored his first goal for Málaga on 16 January 2013, profiting from a defensive scramble to put the visitors ahead at the Camp Nou against FC Barcelona, in an eventual 2–2 draw in the Copa del Rey (6–4 aggregate loss).{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1302131/ten-man-malaga-stuns-barca-with-late-equalizer?cc=5739|title=Malaga equalizer jolts Barca at Camp Nou|publisher=ESPN FC|date=16 January 2013|access-date=27 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227165206/http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1302131/ten-man-malaga-stuns-barca-with-late-equalizer?cc=5739|archive-date=27 February 2014}} He finished his first season at La Rosaleda Stadium with 39 appearances in all competitions, helping to a sixth-place finish in the league.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/es/noticias/manuel-iturra-re-debuta-en-el-malaga/1qb84rzxc9y4p1ofiw3w00dh73|title=Manuel Iturra re-debuta en el Málaga|trans-title=Manuel Iturra makes re-debut with Málaga|publisher=Goal|language=es|date=8 January 2018|access-date=18 January 2019}}

From 2013 to 2015, Iturra represented Granada CF also in La Liga after signing a three-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/06/12/futbol/equipos/granada/1371032517.html|title=El Granada ficha a Iturra|trans-title=Granada sign Iturra|newspaper=Marca|first=Juan|last=Prieto|language=es|date=12 June 2013|access-date=23 July 2015}} He made his competitive debut for his new team on 18 August, featuring 90 minutes in a 2–1 win at CA Osasuna.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/373212/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|title=Granada hold on for victory|publisher=ESPN FC|date=18 August 2013|access-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225192212/http://espnfc.com/en/report/373212/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|archive-date=25 February 2014}}

=Udinese=

On 23 July 2015, Iturra joined Udinese Calcio, which like Granada was also owned by Italian businessman Giampaolo Pozzo.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/calcio/2015/07/23/udinese-arriva-iturra-ora-sfoltire_0fb34b4f-af37-4474-8a3b-916c5e429cfc.html|title=Udinese: arriva Iturra, ora sfoltire|trans-title=Udinese: Iturra arrives, now for some trimming down|publisher=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|language=it|date=23 July 2015|access-date=31 January 2016}} His maiden Serie A match was on 23 August, and he played the entire 1–0 away defeat of Juventus FC.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Juventus/23-08-2015/juventus-udinese-0-1-tabellino-gara-1201058021882.shtml|title=Juventus-Udinese 0–1: il tabellino della gara|trans-title=Juventus-Udinese 0–1: the match report|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=23 August 2015|access-date=31 January 2016}}

Iturra signed a six-month loan deal with Rayo Vallecano on 30 January 2016.{{cite news|url=http://en.as.com/en/2016/01/30/football/1454187176_369788.html|title=Rayo Vallecano confirm deals for Piti and Manuel Iturra|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Jesús|last=Colino|date=30 January 2016|access-date=22 February 2016}} He made just four starts during his brief stay.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/2016/06/04/manuel-iturra-primer-refuerzo-del-necaxa|title=Manuel Iturra, primer refuerzo del Necaxa|trans-title=Manuel Iturra, first Necaxa addition|publisher=Medio Tiempo|language=es|date=4 June 2016|access-date=26 August 2016}}

=Later years=

On 4 June 2016, Iturra left Europe agreeing to a contract with Mexico's Club Necaxa. He returned to Spain two years later, joining Villarreal CF for free{{cite web|url=https://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/indice-general/noticias-generales/item/21707-bienvenido-iturra|title=¡Bienvenido, Iturra!|trans-title=Welcome, Iturra!|publisher=Villarreal CF|language=es|date=4 September 2018|access-date=3 January 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905022922/https://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/indice-general/noticias-generales/item/21707-bienvenido-iturra|archive-date=5 September 2018}} and leaving the club by mutual consent on 2 January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/indice-general/noticias-generales/item/22903-iturra-se-desvincula-del-villarreal-cf|title=Iturra se desvincula del Villarreal CF|trans-title=Iturra cuts ties with Villarreal CF|publisher=Villarreal CF|language=es|date=2 January 2019|access-date=3 January 2019}}

In July 2021, Iturra was appointed youth manager of UD San Pedro, a small club in the Province of Málaga.{{cite web|url=https://es.besoccer.com/noticia/iturra-se-hace-cargo-del-juvenil-a-del-san-pedro-1014725|title=Iturra se hace cargo del Juvenil A del San Pedro|trans-title=Iturra takes charge of San Pedro's Juvenil A|publisher=Be Soccer|language=es|date=5 July 2021|access-date=8 July 2021}}

In the 2021–2022 season, Iturra played for CD Atlético Marbellí[https://www.futbolclubmarbelli.es Atlético Marbellí] in the Segunda Andaluza, making 7 appearances.{{cite web |title=Iturra - Ex-Atlético Marbellí :: La Web del Fútbol Modesto :: |url=https://www.lapreferente.com/J84081C13399/ud-san-pedro-b/iturra.html |website=lapreferente.com |access-date=6 August 2022 |language=es}}

International career

Iturra made his debut for Chile on 17 August 2005, against Peru.{{cite web|url=http://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/deportes/futbol/seleccion-chilena/chile-reprobo-el-examen-con-una-dolorosa-derrota-ante-peru/2005-08-17/231509.html|title=Chile reprobó el examen con una dolorosa derrota ante Perú|trans-title=Chile failed test with painful loss against Peru|publisher=Radio Cooperativa|language=es|date=17 August 2005|access-date=8 January 2018}} On 24 May of the following year, he scored the game's only goal in a friendly with the Republic of Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/5014588.stm |title=Rep of Ireland 0–1 Chile|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 May 2006|access-date=16 May 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206075426/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/5014588.stm|archive-date=6 December 2013}}

Iturra represented the nation at the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela, helping the side to the quarter-finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/deportes/copa-america/venezuela-2007/chile-dijo-adios-a-copa-america-tras-una-catastrofica-derrota-ante/2007-07-07/225004.html|title=Chile dijo adiós a Copa América tras una catastrófica derrota ante Brasil|trans-title=Chile said goodbye to the Copa América following catastrophic loss against Brazil|publisher=Radio Cooperativa|language=es|date=7 July 2007|access-date=8 January 2018}}

=International goals=

class="wikitable"

! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

24 May 2006

Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

1–0

Win

Friendly

Coaching career

In 2021, he began his career as coach of UD San Pedro Juvenil A team.{{cite web |title=El San Pedro sorprende con su nuevo entrenador para el Juvenil A: Manuel Iturra |url=https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga_cf/Malaga-CF-San-Pedro-Manuel-Iturra_0_1589542148.html |website=Málaga Hoy |access-date=13 September 2022 |language=es |date=5 July 2021}} In 2022, he joined Universidad de Chile youth system,{{cite web |last1=Aguilar |first1=Felipe |title=Manuel Iturra golpea la mesa y emplaza a la dirigencia de Universidad de Chile a ponerse los pantalones y asumir responsabilidades por la crisis azul |url=https://bolavip.com/cl/udechile/Manuel-Iturra-golpea-la-mesa-y-emplaza-a-la-dirigencia-de-Universidad-de-Chile-a-ponerse-los-pantalones-y-asumir-responsabilidades-por-la-crisis-azul-20220913-0002.html |website=Bolavip Chile |access-date=13 September 2022 |language=es |date=13 September 2022}} being confirmed for the 2023 season.{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Matías |title=De alumno en práctica a contrato indefinido: Manuel Colocho Iturra tomará la vacante de Esteban Valencia en las inferiores de la U |url=https://www.latercera.com/el-deportivo/noticia/de-alumno-en-practica-a-contrato-indefinido-manuel-colocho-iturra-tomara-la-vacante-de-esteban-valencia-en-las-inferiores-de-la-u/6APAARCFHBCJHCJY5CBCAMOTXA/ |publisher=La Tercera |access-date=11 January 2023 |language=es |date=11 January 2023}}

For the 2024 season, he joined the technical staff of Gustavo Álvarez in the first team.{{cite news |last1=García |first1=Javiera |title=Histórico de la U se suma al cuerpo técnico para 2024 |url=https://redgol.cl/udechile/manuel-iturra-se-suma-al-cuerpo-tecnico-de-gustavo-alvarez-en-universidad-de-chile-20231227-RDG-241220.html |access-date=28 December 2023 |work=RedGol |date=27 December 2023 |language=es}}

Personal life

Iturra married Nadia Vargas, the daughter of the former Chile international goalkeeper Sergio Vargas. In addition, he is the brother-in-law of the also former goalkeeper, Emanuel Vargas.{{cite news |last1=Ferrero |first1=Samuel |title=Nadia, la mujer de Colocho Iturra: Siempre me toca hacer la mudanza sola" |url=https://www.lun.com/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?dt=2016-02-12&NewsID=337828&BodyID=0&PaginaId=42 |access-date=4 July 2023 |publisher=Las Últimas Noticias |date=12 February 2016 |location=Santiago, Chile |language=es}}