Sporting Gijón mourns club great José Manuel Díaz Novoa, aged 82 | OneFootball

Sporting Gijón is in mourning after the death of José Manuel Díaz Novoa, aged 82. The club said in a statement on Sunday that the former player, head coach and sporting director had died, calling him an irreplaceable figure whose legacy at El Molinón and the Mareo academy would endure.

Novoa spent more than half his life at Sporting, arriving as a player in 1960 and departing from the dugout in 1998. Between those dates he helped shape the club’s golden era and later oversaw the launch of the Mareo youth system as technical director, a chapter he especially cherished.

He remains the coach who has taken charge of Sporting the most times. His first spell began with seven straight wins in 1979-80 after succeeding Vicente Miera, having previously led the B team and served as his assistant.

Beyond Gijón, he coached RC Celta, Real Burgos CF, RCD Espanyol and Málaga CF, and also managed the Asturias regional team. He was regarded as a formative influence on club greats such as Joaquín and Jiménez, among others.

During his tenure Sporting reached Copa del Rey finals against Barcelona and Real Madrid but fell short. After four consecutive seasons in charge he left for Vigo in 1988, then returned in 1995 and again in 1998, when he moved upstairs as sporting director before stepping away.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo