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Paco Gallardo
Paco Gallardo
Paco Gallardo
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Francisco "Paco" Gallardo León (born 13 January 1980) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, currently manager of the Spain national under-20 team.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Sevilla

[edit]

Born in Seville, Andalusia, and a product of hometown club Sevilla's youth system, Gallardo made his first-team debut aged 20, being instrumental in their 2001 return to La Liga[1] and proceeding to have a further two solid seasons with the main squad. In November of that year, he was fined and suspended by the Royal Spanish Football Federation for violating standards of "sporting dignity and decorum" when he congratulated teammate José Antonio Reyes, who had just scored, by bending down and biting on his penis.[2][3]

After a relatively successful loan at Getafe,[4] helping the Madrid side to retain their newly acquired top-division status,[5] Gallardo's career would be very irregular: he served two unassuming loans in early 2006, starting with Vitória de Guimarães from Portugal,[6][7] then moved in the 2006–07 campaign to Real Murcia in the Segunda División, still on contract to Sevilla.[8]

Murcia

[edit]

Gallardo signed on a permanent basis prior to the start of 2007–08,[9] but could only appear in ten league matches in an eventual relegation from the top flight. In the following season he was ousted from the squad alongside José María Movilla by manager Javier Clemente, and spent several months without a team, being reinstated in March 2009 after the coach's dismissal; he was finally released in June.[10]

Later career

[edit]

On 12 November 2009, Gallardo joined another club in the second tier, Huesca, after a successful week's trial.[11] He finished his career at the age of 34, after three years in Hungary with two teams.[12]

Coaching career

[edit]

Gallardo returned to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in the summer of 2015, first being in charge of the academy and later being appointed at the helm of the amateur team in the Tercera División, with Carlos Marchena as his assistant.[13] For three seasons, he then managed Sevilla Atlético in the Segunda División B (renamed Primera División RFEF for the 2021–22 season).[14][15]

In November 2022, Gallardo joined Premier League side Leeds United as first-team coach in Jesse Marsch's staff. Following the latter's dismissal, he was named co-interim alongside Chris Armas and Michael Skubala;[16] shortly after, he was appointed their under-21 manager.[17]

Gallardo then acted as manager to Spain's under-19 and under-20 national sides.[18][19] He led the former age group to second place at the 2025 UEFA European Championship held in Romania.[20]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of 6 December 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Sevilla C Spain 7 June 2017 28 April 2018 35 13 11 11 53 48 +5 037.14 [21]
Sevilla B Spain 28 May 2019 13 October 2021 54 19 16 19 68 69 −1 035.19 [22]
Total 89 32 27 30 123 117 +6 035.96 —

Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]

Sevilla

Manager

[edit]

Spain U19

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Paco Gallardo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Francisco "Paco" Gallardo León (born 13 January 1980) is a Spanish professional and former player, best known for his career as a right in and for his current role leading 's under-20 and under-19 national teams. Born in Sevilla, he developed through the youth ranks of hometown club , where he made the majority of his 288 professional appearances across various leagues. Gallardo represented at youth international level, contributing to the nation's third-place finish at the 1997 in and as a member of the winning squad at the 1999 in , alongside future stars like and Hernández. Gallardo's club career spanned from 1998 to 2014, beginning and peaking with , for whom he played 126 matches and scored 5 goals between 2002 and 2009, often as a versatile right-sided player. After loans to teams like and Vitória de Guimarães, he moved to in 2009, followed by stints in the Hungarian league with Puskás Akadémia FC, where he added 60 appearances and 4 goals before retiring at age 34. His playing style was characterized by technical skill and midfield dynamism, though he never broke into the senior Spanish national team. Transitioning to coaching, Gallardo earned his Pro Licence and began with Sevilla FC's in 2019, managing 59 matches until 2021 with an average of 1.32 points per match. He later served as head coach of Leeds United's under-23 side in 2023, achieving a strong 2.38 points per match in 8 games, before being appointed to lead Spain's U-19 and U-20 teams in August 2024. Under his guidance, the U-20 side qualified for the in —their first appearance in 12 years—drawing on his own youth international experience to prepare a talented group including prospects like those from Barcelona's academy. His team reached the quarter-finals of the , defeating in the round of 16 before a 3–2 loss to . Gallardo favors an attacking 4-3-3 formation and has overseen 19 matches with Spain's youth sides as of late 2025, maintaining a 2.05 points per match average.

Early life and youth career

Early years

Francisco Gallardo León, commonly known as Paco Gallardo, was born on 13 January 1980 in , , . Growing up in the passionate football environment of his hometown, he developed an early affinity for the sport and joined the youth academy of local club as a child, marking the beginning of his formative years in professional football development. During his early years, Gallardo honed his skills as a within Sevilla's renowned system, which emphasized technical proficiency and competitive play from a young age. This period laid the foundation for his progression through the club's youth ranks, where he was identified as a promising talent in the midfield.

Sevilla academy development

Francisco Gallardo León, commonly known as Paco Gallardo, honed his skills in the renowned youth academy of , his hometown club. Born in Sevilla on 13 January 1980, Gallardo entered the club's youth system early, benefiting from its structured development pathway that emphasized technical proficiency and tactical awareness in Andalusian football. His progression culminated in a debut with the reserve team, Sevilla B, during the 1997–98 season, when he was just 17 years old. In that campaign, Gallardo made 2 appearances without finding the net, marking an initial step into senior-level competition while continuing to mature within the academy framework. The following year, 1998–99, saw a notable uptick in his involvement, as he featured in 17 matches and scored 1 goal, demonstrating growing consistency and adaptation to the demands of third-tier professional football. By the 1999–2000 season, Gallardo had become a more established presence in the Sevilla B squad, appearing in 13 games and adding another goal to his record, for a total of 32 appearances and 2 goals across his three seasons with the reserves. These outings highlighted his versatility as a , contributing both defensively and in attack, and underscored the academy's role in preparing talents for the first team. His reserve-team experience directly facilitated his breakthrough to Sevilla's senior squad in 2000, where he would go on to make over 100 appearances.

Club career

Sevilla FC

Francisco Gallardo León, commonly known as Paco Gallardo, began his professional career with hometown club , emerging from their youth academy. He made his first-team debut during the 2000–01 season, at the age of 20, and quickly became a regular contributor as a right . That year, he appeared in 31 league matches, scoring 4 goals, playing a key role in Sevilla's promotion to after finishing second in the second tier. Following promotion, Gallardo solidified his place in the Primera División lineup during the 2001–02 and 2002–03 campaigns, featuring in 33 and 34 league games respectively, with 2 and 1 goals. His consistent performances highlighted his versatility and work rate on the right flank, contributing to Sevilla's mid-table stability amid financial challenges. In the 2003–04 season, he made 20 appearances and scored once, though injuries and squad rotation limited his starts. Gallardo's time at Sevilla also encompassed loans to other clubs starting in 2004, but he remained contracted to the club until 2007. In the 2005–06 season, he featured in 9 matches, including contributions in European competition, before being loaned to Vitória de Guimarães in January 2006. As part of the squad, he helped Sevilla win their first UEFA Cup, defeating 4–0 in the final on May 10, 2006, marking a pivotal moment in the club's resurgence under coach . Over his seven-year association with Sevilla's first team, Gallardo amassed 149 appearances across all competitions, scoring 9 goals. His tenure bridged the club's promotion from the second division and their early European successes, establishing him as a product of the academy who embodied loyalty before departing on a free transfer in 2007.

Loan spells and Murcia

In 2004, Gallardo joined on a season-long loan from , marking his first significant spell away from his parent club. During the campaign, he featured in 24 matches, scoring once, primarily operating as a right and providing versatility on the flanks. , newly promoted to the top flight, relied on contributions from loanees like Gallardo to secure survival; the team finished 13th with 47 points, the only promoted side to avoid relegation that season. Following his return to Sevilla, Gallardo embarked on shorter loan moves in 2006 amid limited opportunities at the club. In January, he was loaned to Primeira Liga side Vitória Guimarães for the second half of the 2005–06 season, but made just two appearances without scoring. Later that year, he moved to on loan for the 2006–07 season, where he appeared in seven matches, again failing to find the net, as the club struggled in mid-table. These brief stints highlighted Gallardo's challenges in securing consistent playing time outside Sevilla. Gallardo's loan to Real in the 2006–07 season proved more productive, with 20 appearances and two goals as the team earned promotion to . He transitioned to a permanent deal ahead of the 2007–08 campaign, signing a two-year contract. However, his role diminished, limited to 11 league outings and one goal, as suffered relegation with only 20 points from 38 matches. In the subsequent 2008–09 season, injuries restricted him to six appearances and one goal before departing the club midway through the year. Overall, Gallardo recorded 38 appearances and four goals across his time at , a period marked by initial promise followed by declining involvement.

Later clubs

After leaving Real Murcia in 2009, Gallardo signed with SD Huesca in the Spanish Segunda División on November 13, 2009, following a successful trial period. He made 37 appearances for the club across the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, contributing to their competitive efforts in the second tier, though Huesca ultimately faced relegation in 2010–11. His role as a right midfielder provided versatility and experience to the squad during this transitional phase. In July 2011, Gallardo moved abroad for the first time, joining Hungarian club in the on a free transfer. Over two seasons (2011–13), he appeared in 42 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists, helping the team maintain mid-table stability in the top flight. This stint marked a significant adaptation to a new footballing environment, where his technical skills and work rate were valued in a possession-oriented system. Gallardo concluded his playing career with , another Hungarian top-tier side, signing in August 2013 and retiring at the end of the 2013–14 season. He featured in 21 league appearances, scoring 1 goal, as the club focused on youth development and competitive balance in the NB I. At age 34, this final chapter allowed him to mentor younger players while winding down his professional tenure abroad.

International playing career

Under-17 and Under-18 levels

Gallardo earned his first international caps with the under-17 national team during the 1997–1998 period. He was selected for the squad at the in , where secured third place by defeating 2–1 in the playoff after a 1–2 semifinal loss to . The tournament showcased a talented generation of Spanish players, including goalkeepers and Hernández in midfield, under coach Juan Santisteban. Gallardo, a 17-year-old right from Sevilla FC's youth setup, was part of this group and later reflected on the experience as formative, highlighting the unity and competition against emerging stars like . He appeared in at least one match during the competition, contributing to the team's strong group stage performance, which included victories over (13–0) and (2–1). Transitioning to the under-18 level, Gallardo represented between 1998 and 1999, wearing the number 15 jersey in competitive fixtures. These appearances came during qualification campaigns for the European Under-18 Championship, though specific tournament outcomes for his involvement remain limited in records. He accumulated nine caps at this level, scoring one goal.

Under-20 level

Gallardo represented at the under-20 level, captaining the team to victory at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup in . Alongside teammates like and Xavi Hernández, he played a key role in the tournament triumph, contributing to 's first U-20 World Cup title.

Under-21 level

Gallardo represented the under-21 national team, earning six caps as a right during the qualification campaign for the 2002 . His appearances came in qualifying matches and playoffs between 2000 and 2001, where he contributed to 's efforts in Group 7 and the subsequent playoffs. He did not score any goals during his international youth career at this level. Gallardo made his under-21 debut on 6 October 2000, starting in a 1–0 home victory against , playing the full 90 minutes. Four days later, on 10 October 2000, he started and played 90 minutes in a 1–2 away loss to . These early matches highlighted his role in providing midfield support during the group's early fixtures. In the following year, Gallardo appeared in four more qualifiers and . He came off the bench in a 2–0 home win against on 31 August 2001 and in a 0–3 away loss to France on 5 September 2001. He substituted in after 79 minutes in a 2–1 home victory over on 10 November 2001 (playoff first leg), playing 11 minutes, and started the return leg against on 13 November 2001, a 0–1 away loss (playoff second leg), but was substituted after 64 minutes. Overall, he started three matches and substituted in three, totaling 255 minutes played.
DateOpponentResultRoleMinutes
06/10/2000 U211–0Start90'
10/10/2000 U211–2Start90'
31/08/2001 U212–0Sub-
05/09/2001 U210–3Sub-
10/11/2001 U212–1Sub11'
13/11/2001 U210–1Start64'
Spain advanced from Group 7 as one of the best runners-up and progressed through the on away goals (aggregate 2–2 vs ), qualifying for the 2002 finals in , though Gallardo did not feature in the squad. His contributions helped secure vital points in a competitive group that included , , , and .

Coaching career

Sevilla youth and reserve teams

Gallardo began his coaching career in 2017 with , the club's third team competing in the regional leagues of . He took over as manager on 1 July 2017 and held the position until 28 April 2018, focusing on developing young talents within the academy structure. Following his stint with , Gallardo transitioned to a technical coach role at Sevilla FC's first team in April 2018, assisting head coach Caparrós during a challenging period that included qualification for the . He served in this capacity until June 2018, contributing to four matches, before returning to a similar technical role from July 2018 to March 2019 and again from March to June 2019 under Caparrós, where he supported 11 first-team games. These experiences bridged his youth-level work with senior team dynamics, enhancing his tactical acumen. In July 2019, Gallardo was appointed manager of , the club's reserve team in the (later ). He led the side until October 2021, overseeing 59 matches with a record of 20 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses, averaging 1.32 points per match. During the 2019–20 season, impacted by the , the team recorded 9 wins, 7 draws, and 12 losses in 28 games. The 2020–21 campaign saw improved balance with 10 wins, 9 draws, and 10 losses across the regular and intermediate phases, maintaining mid-table stability in Group IV. His tenure ended early in the 2021–22 season after 3 matches (1 win, 2 draws), amid an internal at the club where he stepped down to allow for new leadership under Alejandro Acejo. Under Gallardo, emphasized youth integration, with several academy products gaining exposure in the third tier without achieving promotion.

Leeds United roles

Gallardo joined Leeds United in November 2022 as a technical coach within the first-team staff, recruited by director of football Victor Orta to bolster the coaching setup under head coach . In February 2023, following Marsch's dismissal and the subsequent sacking of interim head coach after one match, Gallardo served as part of an interim coaching trio alongside Skubala and for Leeds' fixture against Manchester United on February 12, 2023; the team lost 0–2 at . This temporary arrangement highlighted Gallardo's integration into the senior setup, drawing on his prior experience in Spanish youth and reserve coaching. Later that month, on February 24, 2023, Gallardo transitioned to the role of for Leeds United's Under-21 team, succeeding Scott Gardner, and led the side until the end of the 2022–23 season on June 30, 2023. During his tenure, the U21s competed in the 2, achieving a strong performance that included notable wins and development for young talents, though specific match outcomes emphasized player progression over silverware. His time at concluded with the club's restructuring under new ownership, paving the way for his return to Spanish football.

Spain national youth teams

In August 2024, Paco Gallardo was appointed as head coach of 's under-19 national team by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), succeeding José Lana after previously leading the under-18 side. Under his guidance, the team qualified for the 2025 in , where entered as defending champions from their 2024 victory. Gallardo's under-19 squad navigated the group stage with wins over (1–0), (3–1), and (5–0), before advancing past in the semi-finals 6–5 after extra time. In the final on 26 June 2025 at Rapid-Giulești Stadium in , fell 0-1 to the , with an by goalkeeper in the 63rd minute securing the Dutch triumph; this result marked Gallardo's first major final as a senior youth coach and earned runners-up honors. Following the European campaign, Gallardo was tasked with the under-20 team in August 2025, preparing for the in —Spain's first appearance in the tournament since 2013. His squad advanced from as one of the best third-placed teams with four points from a 2–2 draw against , a 1–0 victory over , and a 0–2 loss to . In the round of 16, Spain defeated 1-0 with a goal from Pablo García, advancing to the quarterfinals. The under-20 campaign ended in the quarterfinals on 11 October 2025, where Colombia upset Spain 3-2 in Santiago, with Néiser Villarreal scoring a hat-trick despite goals from Spain's Pablo Torre and Assane Diao; Gallardo later reflected on the match as a learning opportunity, noting Colombia's effectiveness in exploiting defensive vulnerabilities. Throughout his tenure with both age groups, Gallardo emphasized player development and tactical adaptability, drawing on his experience from Sevilla's youth system.

Managerial statistics

Sevilla Atlético C

Paco Gallardo managed , the third team of , during the 2017–18 season in the , where he was appointed as head coach alongside assistant . Over 35 matches, the team recorded 13 wins, 11 draws, and 11 losses, achieving a points per match average of 1.43. He departed the role on April 28, 2018, to join the first team's technical staff under Joaquín Caparrós.
SeasonLeagueMatchesWinsDrawsLosses
2017–18Tercera División35131111

Sevilla Atlético B and overall

Paco Gallardo managed Sevilla Atlético B, the reserve team of Sevilla FC, from July 2019 to October 2021, overseeing 59 matches in the Spanish third tier (Segunda División B and later Primera Federación). During this period, his team recorded 20 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses, achieving a points per match average of 1.32 and scoring 74 goals while conceding 76. The stint was marked by steady mid-table finishes in the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, culminating in promotion to Primera Federación after finishing third in their group and winning the promotion playoff in 2020–21.
SeasonCompetitionMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGoals (For:Against)Position
2019–20Segunda División B289910Not specified11th
2020–21Segunda División B241086Not specified3rd (promoted)
2021–227115Not specifiedN/A (sacked)
Gallardo's tenure emphasized youth development, integrating several academy prospects into competitive play while maintaining competitiveness in a tough division. His dismissal in October 2021 came after a poor start to the season, with only one win in seven games. As of November 2025, Gallardo's overall managerial record across all clubs and national teams stands at 118 matches, with 49 wins, 32 draws, and 37 losses, yielding a win percentage of approximately 41.5% and a points per match of 1.52. This includes his time at Sevilla Atlético B, stints with Sevilla Atlético C, Leeds United U23, and roles with Spain's national teams (U18, U19, and U20), where he has focused on international tournaments and development, including leading the U19 to runner-up at the 2025 . His career highlights a progression from management to high-profile youth international coaching, with a consistent emphasis on tactical discipline and player progression.

Honours

As a player


: 2000–01 Spain U20
: 1999

As a manager

Spain U19
runner-up: 2025

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/paco-gallardo/profil/trainer/58621
  2. https://www.transfermarkt.us/paco-gallardo/profil/spieler/7708
  3. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/u20worldcup/chile-2025/articles/paco-gallardo-spain-interview
  4. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/u20worldcup/chile-2025
  5. https://www.abc.es/deportes/orgullodenervion/noticias-sevilla-fc/sevi-paco-gallardo-intento-ser-el-entrenador-que-me-hubiese-gustado-tener-cuando-era-canterano-181129-1572637594-201911021141_noticia.html
  6. https://www.bdfutbol.com/es/j/j811.html
  7. https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j811.html
  8. https://www.transfermarkt.us/paco-gallardo/leistungsdaten/spieler/7708
  9. https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2005-0633.html
  10. https://www.transfermarkt.us/paco-gallardo/transfers/spieler/7708
  11. https://fbref.com/en/squads/7848bd64/2004-2005/Getafe-Stats
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.us/francisco-gallardo/leistungsdaten/spieler/7708
  13. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/1647-paco-gallardo
  14. https://2023.footballforumhungary.hu/en/speakers/paco-gallardo
  15. https://www.transfermarkt.es/paco-gallardo/rueckennummern/spieler/7708
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.com/paco-gallardo/profil/spieler/7708
  17. https://www.transfermarkt.us/paco-gallardo/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/58621/verein_id/8519/datum_zu/2019-07-01/datum_ab/2021-10-13
  18. https://sevillafc.es/actualidad/noticias/restructuring-internal-youth-sevilla-fc
  19. https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-set-to-appoint-paco-gallardo-after-talks-with-victor-orta/
  20. https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/trio-to-take-charge-of-manchester-united-fixture
  21. https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/leeds-confirm-interim-managerial-trio-michael-skubala-paco-gallardo-chris-armas-continue/bltb591525aa400bb56
  22. https://2023.footballforumhungary.hu/hu/eloadok/paco-gallardo
  23. https://www.playmakerstats.com/manager/paco-gallardo/41743
  24. https://as.com/futbol/seleccion/gallardo-nuevo-seleccionador-sub-19-n/
  25. https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0298-1d88bd3060f1-1e4479eebb55-1000--2025-uefa-european-under-19-championship-all-the-results/
  26. https://www.gettyimages.dk/detail/news-photo/coach-paco-gallardo-of-spain-national-under-19-football-news-photo/2221521718
  27. https://rfef.es/en/noticias/Youth-National-Teams-Gear-Up-for-a-Season-Full-of-Challenges
  28. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/u20worldcup/chile-2025/standings
  29. https://www.marca.com/futbol/mundial-sub-20/2025/10/08/espana-cuartos-nuestro-mayor-rival-nosotros-video.html
  30. https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles/colombia-stuns-spain-in-the-u-20-world-cup-and-advances-in-dramatic-fashion-2025-10-11
  31. https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20251012/1002549026/paco-gallardo-sabiamos-como-podia-hacernos-dano-colombia-asi-hecho.html
  32. https://sevillafc.es/actualidad/noticias/nuevo-organigrama-de-cantera-del-sevilla-fc-1718
  33. https://www.besoccer.com/coach/paco-gallardo-18442
  34. https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/l/l811.html
  35. https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/029a-1e1852246f5e-4c7a67c71914-1000--under-19-euro-final-report-netherlands-edge-spain-for-first-/
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