Roberto Losada

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Roberto Losada

| image = Chino Losada.jpg

| image_size = 280

| caption = Losada in 2024

| fullname = Roberto Losada Rodríguez{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/231/231.html|title=Roberto 'CHINO' LOSADA Rodríguez|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|access-date=17 December 2021}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|10|25|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Vigo, Spain

| height = 1.80 m

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Eastern (head coach)

| youthyears1 =

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs1 = Sárdoma

| youthclubs2 = Oviedo

| years1 = 1994–1998

| years2 = 1996–2003

| years3 = 1998–1999

| years4 = 2002

| years5 = 2003–2006

| years6 = 2007

| years7 = 2007–2010

| years8 = 2010–2012

| years9 = 2012–2017

| years10 = 2017–2018

| clubs1 = Oviedo B

| clubs2 = Oviedo

| clubs3 = → Toledo (loan)

| clubs4 = → Mallorca (loan)

| clubs5 = Valladolid

| clubs6 = Las Palmas

| clubs7 = Lugo

| clubs8 = Kitchee

| clubs9 = Resources Capital

| clubs10 = Double Flower

| caps1 = 67

| caps2 = 103

| caps3 = 37

| caps4 = 13

| caps5 = 67

| caps6 = 17

| caps7 = 95

| caps8 = 32

| caps9 = 41

| caps10 = 9

| totalcaps = 481

| goals1 = 27

| goals2 = 18

| goals3 = 8

| goals4 = 4

| goals5 = 13

| goals6 = 0

| goals7 = 21

| goals8 = 17

| goals9 = 15

| goals10 = 2

| totalgoals = 125

| nationalyears1 = 2005–2008

| nationalteam1 = Galicia

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| manageryears1 = 2012–2020

| manageryears2 = 2020–2021

| manageryears3 = 2021–

| manageryears4 = 2024

| managerclubs1 = Kitchee (assistant)

| managerclubs2 = Eastern (assistant)

| managerclubs3 = Eastern

| managerclubs4 = Hong Kong (interim assistant)

}}

Roberto Losada Rodríguez (born 25 October 1976) is a professional footballer who played as a forward. He is currently the head coach of Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern.

Over seven seasons, he amassed La Liga totals of 113 games and 27 goals, almost all with Real Oviedo. He also appeared in 124 Segunda División matches (16 goals), and spent two years in Hong Kong with Kitchee.

After retirement, Losada worked as a manager in Hong Kong.

Club career

Losada was born in Vigo, Province of Pontevedra. He made his professional debut for Real Oviedo at age 18, as the club was also in La Liga; after two season-long loans, at Toledo and Mallorca (the former in the Segunda División), he returned,{{cite web|url=https://valladolidplural.com/una-imborrable-huella-en-zorrilla-que-fue-del-chino-losada/|title=Una imborrable huella en Zorrilla: ¿Qué fue del ‘Chino’ Losada?|trans-title=Unforgettable mark at Zorrilla: What happened to 'Chino' Losada?|publisher=Valladolid Plural|language=es|date=21 August 2023|access-date=16 July 2024}} going on to be an important attacking member{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2000/10/23/deportes/972252007_850215.html|title=El Oviedo sufre hasta el final|trans-title=Oviedo suffer until the end|newspaper=El País|first=Rafael|last=Quiros|language=es|date=23 October 2000|access-date=24 September 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/2000/11/20/064.html|title=El contragolpe del Oviedo rompió en la segunda al rey del empate|trans-title=Oviedo fast break crushed king of draws in second half|newspaper=ABC|first=Ramón|last=Julio|language=es|date=20 November 2000|access-date=24 September 2017}}– although mostly as a backup – as the Asturian team would eventually drop two tiers in just four years due to financial irregularities.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2003/08/02/actualidad/1059808912_850215.html|title=El Oviedo, descendido a Tercera División|trans-title=Oviedo, relegated to Tercera División|newspaper=El País|language=es|date=2 August 2003|access-date=17 December 2021}}

Losada left in the 2003–04 campaign to Real Valladolid in the top flight, equalling a career-best eight goals but again being relegated.{{cite news|url=https://www.lne.es/deportes/2007/01/19/losada-deja-valladolid-fichar-palmas-21945960.html|title=Losada deja el Valladolid para fichar por Las Palmas|trans-title=Losada leaves Valladolid to sign with Las Palmas|newspaper=La Nueva España|language=es|date=19 January 2007|access-date=17 December 2021}} After years of intermittent use, he left in January 2007 to another side in the second division, Las Palmas,{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/las_palmas/es/desarrollo/730410.html|title=Losada llega a Las Palmas para "volver a sentirme futbolista"|trans-title=Losada arrives at Las Palmas to "feel a footballer again"|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=19 January 2007|access-date=4 May 2016}} not managing to score in his five-month spell.{{cite news|url=https://www.laprovincia.es/deportes/2007/08/09/losada-arriaga-entran-proyecto-final-11046099.html|title=Losada y Arriaga no entran en el proyecto final de la UD Las Palmas|trans-title=Losada and Arriaga not part of UD Las Palmas' final project|newspaper=La Provincia|language=es|date=9 August 2007|access-date=17 December 2021}}

In the summer of 2007, Losada returned to his native Galicia and signed with Lugo of Segunda División B.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/cdlugo/2015/07/01/recurso-mediaticos-lugo/0003_201507L1P41991.htm|title=El recurso de los mediáticos del Lugo|trans-title=The recourse of Lugo's stars|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first=Marta|last=De Dios|language=es|date=2 July 2015|access-date=9 April 2020}} After three years, aged 33, he had his first abroad experience, joining Hong Kong club Kitchee{{cite news|url=http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/deportes/2010/08/13/0003_8665546.htm|title=Losada y Cancela, dos gallegos en el Barcelona chino|trans-title=Losada y Cancela, two Galicians in Chinese Barcelona|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first1=Pablo|last1=Gómez|first2=Miguel|last2=Álvarez|language=es|date=13 August 2010|access-date=13 May 2012}} and helping it win the national championship in his first season after 47 years. At the end of the campaign, he was also named Hong Kong Footballer of the Year and MVP, making the competition's Best Eleven.{{cite news|url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/realtime/art_main.php?iss_id=20110614&sec_id=7032049&art_id=50020750|title=傑志射手盧比度膺香港足球先生|trans-title=|newspaper=Apple Daily|language=zh|date=14 June 2011|access-date=1 September 2011}}

Losada was made Kitchee's captain for 2011–12, replacing Lo Kwan Yee.{{cite news|url=http://news.mingpao.com/20110901/sqd1.htm|title=盧均宜受罰盧比度任隊長|trans-title=|newspaper=Ming Pao|language=zh|date=1 September 2011|access-date=1 September 2011}} He announced his retirement from professional football on 26 May 2012, after netting the 3–3 equaliser in stoppage time of extra time in the FA Cup final against Hong Kong Pegasus, which his team won.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/8-classic-cup-finals-in-asia|title=8 classic Cup finals in Asia|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=28 March 2020|access-date=9 April 2020}}

International career

Uncapped by Spain at any level, Losada played three games for the unofficial Galicia team. On 27 December 2008, he scored the deciding goal in a 3–2 win over Iran at the Estadio Riazor.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/deportes/2008/12/27/01121230414990248437246.htm|title=Nacho Novo ayuda a Galicia a seguir invicta|trans-title=Nacho Novo helps Galicia remain unbeaten|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|language=es|date=27 December 2008|access-date=4 November 2021}}

Coaching career

Losada immediately joined the club's coaching staff, being named his compatriot Josep Gombau's assistant. He retained his post under the latter's successor Àlex Gómez,{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1357872/gomez-loses-job-coaching-kitchee|title=Gomez loses job coaching Kitchee|newspaper=South China Morning Post|first=Chan|last=Kin-wa|date=16 November 2013|access-date=9 April 2020}} only leaving on 8 September 2020.{{cite news|url=https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E9%AB%94%E8%82%B2/article/20200908/s00006/1599553543074/%E6%B8%AF%E8%B6%85-%E5%82%91%E5%BF%97%E5%8A%A9%E6%95%99%E7%9B%A7%E6%AF%94%E5%BA%A6%E9%9B%A2%E9%9A%8A-3%E6%9C%88%E6%88%90%E6%B8%AF%E7%90%83%E5%A3%87%E7%A2%BA%E8%A8%BA%E9%A6%96%E4%BE%8B-%E6%9B%BE%E6%BC%8F%E5%A0%B1%E9%85%8D%E5%81%B6%E5%A4%96%E9%81%8A|title=港超︱傑志助教盧比度離隊 3月成港球壇確診首例曾漏報配偶外|trans-title=|newspaper=Ming Pao|language=zh|date=8 September 2020|access-date=5 January 2021}}

On 16 October 2020, Losada signed with Eastern in the same capacity.{{cite news|url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E9%AB%94%E8%82%B2/article/20201016/s00015/1602786265430/%E6%9D%B1%E6%96%B9%E9%96%8B%E6%93%8D-%E8%81%98%E7%9B%A7%E6%AF%94%E5%BA%A6%E4%BB%BB%E5%8A%A9%E6%95%99-%E6%9D%8E%E5%BF%97%E5%A0%85%E6%96%99%E5%AF%8C%E5%8A%9B%E9%80%80%E8%B3%BD%E5%BD%B1%E9%9F%BF%E7%9F%AD%E6%9A%AB-%E6%93%AC%E7%B0%BD%E9%83%A8%E5%88%86%E5%A4%B1%E6%A5%AD%E5%85%B5|title=東方開操聘盧比度任助教李志堅料富力退賽影響短暫擬簽部分失業兵|trans-title=|newspaper=Ming Pao|language=zh|date=16 October 2020|access-date=5 January 2021}} He became their head coach the following year.{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3151966/eastern-take-rivals-kitchee-hong-kong-premier-league-opener-next|title=‘Full house’ expected as Eastern take on rivals Kitchee in Hong Kong Premier League opener|newspaper=South China Morning Post|first=Chan|last=Kin-wa|date=11 October 2021|access-date=4 November 2021}}

Losada led his team to the 2023–24 FA Cup, defeating Sham Shui Po 3–2 in the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265022/eastern-delight-losada-turns-double-celebration-team-claim-fa-cup-and-hong-kong-come-calling-world|title=Eastern delight for Losada turns into double celebration, as team claim FA Cup and Hong Kong come calling with World Cup job|newspaper=South China Morning Post|first=Mike|last=Chan|date=1 June 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}} Shortly after, he was named interim assistant manager at the Hong Kong national side under Wolfgang Luisser.{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265216/hong-kong-interim-football-coach-wolfgang-luisser-laments-not-good-match-fixing-news-surprised|title=Hong Kong interim football coach Wolfgang Luisser laments ‘not good’ match-fixing news, surprised Losada added to staff|newspaper=South China Morning Post|first=Paul|last=McNamara|date=3 June 2024|access-date=16 July 2024}}

Personal life

Losada was nicknamed El Chino due his facial features.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/10/29/futbol/futbol_internacional/espanoles_mundo/1319873465.html|title=El 'Chino Losada', hombre anuncio en Hong Kong|trans-title='Chino Losada', commercial man in Hong Kong|newspaper=Marca|first1=Alberto|last1=Rubio|first2=Vicente|last2=Ortega|language=es|date=29 October 2011|access-date=4 May 2016}} Born in Spain, he acquired his Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport after residing in the region for more than seven years.{{cite web|url=https://www.offside.hk/hkteam/salute-to-kim-sir-the-man-who-would-die-for-hong-kong/|title=Salute to “Kim sir”: The man who “would die” for Hong Kong|publisher=Offside|first=Christie|last=Leung|date=5 January 2018|access-date=15 July 2024}}

Honours

=Player=

Valladolid

Segunda División: 2006–07{{cite news|url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/realvalladolid/cronica-mendilismo-ilustrado-20181107184142-nt.html|title=Crónica del mendilismo ilustrado|trans-title=Chronicle of illustrated mendilismo|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|first=Antonio|last=García Encinas|language=es|date=7 November 2018|access-date=15 July 2024}}

Kitchee

Hong Kong First Division League: 2010–11,{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/975481/chino-superstar|title='Chino' the superstar|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=6 August 2011|access-date=16 July 2024}} 2011–12
Hong Kong FA Cup: 2011–12
Hong Kong League Cup: 2011–12

Individual

Hong Kong Footballer of the Year: 2010–11{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3204622/eastern-scrape-through-senior-shield-final-after-1-0-win-over-bc-rangers|title=Eastern scrape through to Senior Shield final after 1–0 win over BC Rangers|newspaper=South China Morning Post|first=Chan|last=Kin-wa|date=26 December 2022|access-date=15 July 2024}}
Hong Kong Team of the Season: 2010–11
Hong Kong Most Popular Player: 2010–11

=Manager=

Eastern

Hong Kong FA Cup: 2023–24, 2024–25
Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2024–25

Individual

Hong Kong Coach of the Year: 2022–23, 2023–24,{{cite web|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1755164-20240529.htm|title=Philip Chan wins HK's Footballer of the Year|publisher=RTHK|date=29 May 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}} 2024–25