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Iribar "El Chopo"


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 José Angel Iribar Cortajarena, El Chopo ("the poplar") (born 1 March 1943 in Zarautz, Gipuzkoa) is a former Spanish footballer and manager. He played as goalkeeper for CD Baskonia, Athletic Bilbao and Spain.

Iribar made his senior debut for Athletic in 1962 and his international debut in 1964. He was a member of the Athletic team that won the Copa del Generalísimo in 1969 and 1973 and reached the UEFA Cup final in 1977. In 1970 he also won the Zamora Trophy. He made a record 466 appearances in La Liga and a further 49 appearances for Spain. This included three games at the 1966 World Cup. He was also a member of Spanish team that won the European Championship in 1964.

 In 1980 Iribar retired as a player and joined the Athletic coaching staff. In 1983/84 he coached Bilbao Athletic, the clubs reserve side, to second place in the Segunda División, their highest ever league position. He managed the first team for the 1986/87 season. He has been manager of the Basque Country national football team since 1988.

This photo was taken in Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) on 2008-07-05.

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