Antonio Puche

Antonio Puche Vicente (born 2 August 1972), sometimes known as Puche II, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a forward, and the current manager of Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Puche and the second or maternal family name is Vicente.

Puche II
Personal information
Full name Antonio Puche Vicente
Date of birth (1972-08-02) 2 August 1972
Place of birth Yecla, Spain
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Oriente Petrolero (manager)
Youth career
1981–1987 Yeclano
1987–1988 Elche
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1990 Ilicitano
1988–1992 Elche 35 (5)
1992–1993 Valencia B 17 (5)
1993–1995 Palamós 61 (27)
1995–1996 Villarreal 18 (3)
1996–1997 Toledo 15 (1)
1997–1998 Jaén 31 (5)
1998–1999 Granada 22 (7)
1999–2000 Novelda 14 (2)
2000–2001 Pájara Playas 16 (0)
2002–2003 Frutas de Abarán
2003–2004 Linares
Total 229 (55)
International career
1988–1989 Spain U16 12 (6)
1990 Spain U20 1 (0)
Managerial career
2004–2005 Córdoba (youth)
2007–2008 Xerez B
2008–2009 Hércules (assistant)
2009 Racing Santander (assistant)
2010–2011 Tenerife (assistant)
2011–2012 Hércules (assistant)
2013 Al-Yarmouk (assistant)
2014–2015 Al Qadsia
2016 Anorthosis
2017 Saint-Étienne (assistant)
2018–2019 Olympiacos (assistant)
2022–2023 China U20
2023– Oriente Petrolero
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Born in Yecla, Region of Murcia, Puche began his senior career with Elche CF, being almost exclusively associated with the reserves during his spell. He made his first-team debut at only 16, playing eight minutes in a 1–1 La Liga away draw against CA Osasuna; legendary László Kubala handed him his first opportunity with the professionals.[1]

In the summer of 1993, after a spell with Valencia CF's reserves, Puche joined Palamós CF of Segunda División. He had a breakthrough year in his second season, scoring 21 goals to lead all players but being relegated due to the Catalan club's financial problems; on 9 April 1995, he netted six past CD Leganés – also eventually relegated – in a 7–1 home rout.[2]

Puche continued competing in the second level in the following campaigns, with Villarreal CF, CD Toledo and Real Jaén. He retired in June 2004 at nearly 32 years of age, after several years in the lower leagues.[1]

From 2005 to 2007, Puche worked as director of football at Cádiz CF. The following year he had his first senior experience in head coaching, with Tercera División's Xerez CD B, as well as also sharing directorial duties in the first team with former club player Antonio Poyatos.

In 2008–09, Puche was appointed assistant coach of Juan Carlos Mandiá at second-tier side Hércules CF. In the following years, the pair continued to work together.[3]

Puche signed with Kuwaiti Premier League's Qadsia SC in 2014. He was dismissed on 23 March of the following year,[4] as the team went on to finish in fourth place.

International career

Puche posted good scoring numbers with the Spain under-16 team. In an international tournament held in Genoa, he was named as best player.[5]

Puche also played at under-20 level, being selected for the squad that appeared at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Saudi Arabia.

Personal life

Puche's older, brother, José (1968), was also a footballer. A midfielder, he coincided with his sibling at Elche and Palamós, and the pair was known as Puche I and Puche II.[1]

Honours

Individual

Manager

Al Qadsia

References
  1. "Antonio Puche Vicente, PUCHE II" (in Spanish). Franjiverdes. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. "Domingo a tope" [Full-blown Sunday]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 10 April 1995. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. Fernández-Cueto, Francisco (26 June 2009). "Español, joven, con hambre y proyección: Mandiá" [Spanish, young, hungry and with future: Mandiá]. El Diario Montañés (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  4. "Qadsia part company with Puche". Asian Football Confederation. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  5. "España campeona del torneo Ciudad de Colombo de Sub-16" [Spain champions of Under-16 Ciudad de Colombo tournament]. ABC (in Spanish). 10 November 1988. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
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