Carlos Gurpegui Nausia (alternate spelling Gurpegi; born 19 August 1980) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a central defender or defensive midfielder.

Carlos Gurpegui
Gurpegui in 2014
Personal information
Full name Carlos Gurpegui Nausia
Date of birth (1980-08-19) 19 August 1980 (age 44)[1]
Place of birth Pamplona, Spain
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back, defensive midfielder
Youth career
River Ega[2]
1997–1998 Izarra
1998–1999 Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998 Izarra 1 (0)
1999–2000 Basconia 33 (15)
2000–2002 Bilbao Athletic 56 (5)
2002–2016 Athletic Bilbao 313 (18)
Total 403 (38)
International career
2003–2016 Basque Country 6 (1)
2005 Navarre 1 (0)
Managerial career
2021–2023 Basconia
2023–2024 Bilbao Athletic
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent his entire professional career with Athletic Bilbao,[3] which was marred by a two-year ban due to a nandrolone positive test.[4][5] Over 14 La Liga seasons, he appeared in 393 matches in all competitions and scored 22 goals.[6]

Club career

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Born in Pamplona and raised in the village of Andosilla, Navarre,[2] Gurpegui was a product of Athletic Bilbao's Lezama youth academy, and made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 31 March 2002 in a 5–2 away defeat against Villarreal CF,[7][6] going on to establish himself as the first-choice holding midfielder in the following years with 121 games in four seasons. On 17 January 2004, he scored a late equaliser against FC Barcelona in a 1–1 draw at the Camp Nou.[8]

Gurpegui was banned for two years on 3 November 2003, for testing positive for nandrolone in a 1 September 2002 game against Real Sociedad (4–2 away defeat, scoring both goals) the previous season.[9][5] The ban was initially suspended[10] after repeated appeals, with the player claiming that his body produced nandrolone naturally,[11] but the appeals were in vain and he eventually was forced to serve his sentence, which ran until 23 April 2008;[12] Athletic Bilbao, however, neither released the player nor took his number from the official squad,[13] and he returned to action in a 3–0 away loss to Real Madrid four days later.[14]

In the 2008–09 campaign, Gurpegui was used mostly as a backup due to the emergence of youngster Javi Martínez, but regained his starting position in the following years, precisely alongside Martínez.[15][16] On 28 November 2010, he headed home in the last minute against hometown club CA Osasuna, in a 1–0 home win.[17]

Gurpegui was again an important player in 2011–12 under new coach Marcelo Bielsa.[18] On 23 October 2011, having replaced Andoni Iraola at half-time in an eventual 1–1 draw at Valencia CF,[19] he also had to leave the pitch early into the second half, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament which ended his season.[20][21]

After Martínez left in summer 2012 to join FC Bayern Munich, Gurpegui was chosen by Bielsa as the next player to be converted from defensive midfielder to central defender.[22] After playing a big role in their qualification for the tournament through finishing fourth domestically in 2013–14, partnering the much younger Aymeric Laporte, he featured in defence in six matches in the subsequent edition of the UEFA Champions League.[23][24]

The team reached three finals of the Copa del Rey in Gurpegui's time at the San Mamés Stadium, losing them all to Barcelona – he was an unused substitute on every occasion. He did play in both legs of the 2015 Supercopa de España against the same opponents, lifting the trophy as captain.[25][26]

On 11 May 2016, by now a fringe player, 35-year-old Gurpegui announced he would retire from the game at the end of the season.[27][28]

International career

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Gurpegui played six matches (one goal) for the unofficial Basque selection.[29] He also featured for the equivalent Navarrese team.[30]

Gurpegui had already retired from club football when he appeared in his last friendly for the Basque Country on 27 May 2016, a draw and win on penalties over Corsica.[31]

Coaching career

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On retiring from playing, Gurpegui was appointed to a coaching role at Athletic Bilbao working under Ernesto Valverde.[32] However, when the latter moved to Barcelona in the 2017 off-season he did not take the former with him, nor was there any place in the new Athletic coaching structure under José Ángel Ziganda; instead, Gurpegui was appointed as an ambassador for the club.[32]

In December 2021, having rejoined the club's coaching network, Gurpegui was appointed head coach of the farm team, CD Basconia, with previous incumbent Patxi Salinas having moved up to the reserves.[33] On 30 May 2023, he replaced Alex Pallarés at the helm of the latter, recently relegated to Segunda Federación.[34]

On 6 May 2024, after achieving promotion to Primera Federación as league winners, Gurpegui stepped down from his position.[35]

Personal life

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Gurpegui's older brother, Pedro María, was also a footballer who played as a forward. He had a spell in the reserve side of Osasuna, coming up against his younger sibling in a league fixture in the semi-professional Segunda División B in 2000.[36][37]

Pedro's career stalled after a serious knee injury,[38] and he never played above that level.

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[39][40][41]
Club Season League Copa del Rey Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Izarra 1997–98 Segunda División B 1 0 0 0 1 0
Basconia 1999–2000 Tercera División 33 15 33 15
Bilbao Athletic 1999–2000 Segunda División B 1 0 1 0
2000–01 Segunda División B 23 2 23 2
2001–02 Segunda División B 32 3 32 3
Total 56 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 56 5
Athletic Bilbao 2001–02 La Liga 4 0 0 0 4 0
2002–03 La Liga 27 4 1 0 28 4
2003–04 La Liga 30 1 1 0 31 1
2004–05 La Liga 34 4 8 0 8[a] 2 50 6
2005–06 La Liga 30 2 3 0 33 2
2006–07[b] La Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08 La Liga 5 0 0 0 5 0
2008–09 La Liga 19 0 7 0 26 0
2009–10 La Liga 34 1 1 0 7[a] 0 2[c] 0 44 1
2010–11 La Liga 31 2 4 1 35 3
2011–12 La Liga 7 0 0 0 2[a] 0 9 0
2012–13 La Liga 27 1 0 0 7[a] 0 34 1
2013–14 La Liga 27 2 5 0 32 2
2014–15 La Liga 23 1 6 0 8[d] 1 37 2
2015–16 La Liga 15 0 1 0 7[a] 0 2[c] 0 25 0
Total 313 18 37 1 39 3 4 0 393 22
Career total 403 38 37 1 39 3 4 0 483 42
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Banned
  3. ^ a b Appearances in Supercopa de España
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League

Managerial statistics

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As of 5 May 2024
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Basconia   14 December 2021 30 May 2023 53 26 15 12 87 59 +28 049.06 [42]
Bilbao Athletic   30 May 2023 6 May 2024 34 25 7 2 68 17 +51 073.53 [43]
Total 87 51 22 14 155 76 +79 058.62

Honours

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Athletic Bilbao

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Gurpegi". Diario AS. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b Basic, Robert (14 May 2016). "La clase de Gurpegui" [The class of Gurpegui]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  3. ^ Ortuzar, César (4 September 2010). "Las cuatro esquinas de Gurpegi" [Gurpegi's four corners]. Deia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  4. ^ Gascón, Juan M. (7 May 2003). "Suspensión de dos años para Gurpegui" [Two-year suspension for Gurpegui]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Two-year ban for Gurpegi". UEFA. 3 November 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  6. ^ a b Cabanillas, Noelia (31 March 2022). "Se cumplen 20 años del debut de Carlos Gurpegi: "Mitificó el dorsal 18"" [20th anniversary of Carlos Gurpegi's debut: "He turned jersey 18 into a myth"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  7. ^ Ciurana, Bruno (31 March 2002). "Segundo correctivo seguido para el Athletic de Bilbao" [Second hard lesson in a row for Athletic Bilbao]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Barcelona 1–1 Athletic Bilbao". ESPN Soccernet. 17 January 2004. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  9. ^ García, Alberto (2 September 2002). "Carlos Gurpegi, organizador de juego y goleador" [Carlos Gurpegi, playmaker and scorer]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Gurpegi given permission to play". UEFA. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Padilla insiste en que el organismo de Gurpegui generó su alto nivel de nandrolona" [Padilla insists that Gurpegui's organism generated his high level of nandrolone]. El País (in Spanish). 8 June 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Athletic announce new Gurpegui appeal". UEFA. 26 November 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  13. ^ Menayo, David (22 April 2008). "El 'caso Gurpegui' llega a su fin" [Curtain call to 'Gurpegui affair']. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  14. ^ Hernández, Jesús J. (28 April 2008). "Un abultado 3–0" [Heavy 3–0]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Gurpegui: "Javi Martínez no está en su mejor momento"" [Gurpegui: "Javi Martínez is not having his best moment"]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 15 December 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Mercado: Gurpegui ya habría renovado con el Athletic" [Market: Gurpegui could have already renewed with Athletic] (in Spanish). Goal. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  17. ^ "Gurpegi hits late winner". ESPN Soccernet. 28 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  18. ^ Lowe, Sid (3 October 2011). "Marcelo Bielsa finally begins to get a tune out of Athletic Bilbao". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Soldado saves the day for Valencia". ESPN Soccernet. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  20. ^ "Gurpegi set for lengthy spell out". ESPN Soccernet. 24 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  21. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa recalls Gurpegui". Marca. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  22. ^ García, Alberto (22 July 2012). "Gurpegi: "Hemos mejorado"" [Gurpegi: "We have improved"]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  23. ^ San Cristóbal, Ainara (8 June 2014). "El Athletic respira tranquilo con Laporte y Gurpegi" [Athletic take a breather with Laporte and Gurpegi]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  24. ^ "Gurpegi seguirá un año más" [Gurpegi will continue another year] (in Spanish). EITB. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Barcelona stunned 4–0 by Athletic Bilbao in first leg of Super Cup". ESPN FC. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  26. ^ a b "Athletic Bilbao manage draw at Barcelona to win Spanish Super Cup". ESPN FC. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  27. ^ "Gurpegui ve "el momento perfecto para dejarlo"" [Gurpegui sees this as "the perfect moment to quit"]. Marca (in Spanish). 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  28. ^ Cuenca, Nika (12 May 2016). "Yo quiero ser Gurpegui" [I want to be Gurpegui]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  29. ^ "La Euskal Selekzioa homenajea a Gurpegui" [The Basque Selection pay homage to Gurpegui] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  30. ^ "Navarra perdona la goleada a la selección china y vence por 1–0" [Navarre forgive thrashing of Chinese team and win 1–0]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 26 December 2005. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  31. ^ "1–1 (8–9). La selección vasca supera a Córcega en la tanda de penaltis" [1–1 (8–9). The Basque team beat Corsica in the penalty shoot-out]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 27 May 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  32. ^ a b Mallo, Juanma (24 June 2017). "Gurpegui, nuevo embajador institucional por Ibaigane" [Gurpegui, new institutional ambassador for Ibaigane]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  33. ^ "Patxi Salinas appointed Bilbao Athletic head coach". Athletic Bilbao. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Carlos Gurpegui appointed Bilbao Athletic head coach". Athletic Bilbao. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Carlos Gurpegui to step down as Bilbao Athletic head coach". Athletic Bilbao. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  36. ^ San Juan, Antonio (22 October 2000). "Primer revés de los cachorros" [First setback for the pups]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  37. ^ Beltrán, Javier (15 April 2011). "Gurpegui: "Osasuna no controla a los navarros"" [Gurpegui: "Osasuna does not control the Navarrese"]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  38. ^ "Por alusiones: Señor Izco" [For allusions: Mister Izco]. Noticias de Navarra (in Spanish). 17 April 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  39. ^ "Gurpegui: Carlos Gurpegui Nausia". BDFutbol. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  40. ^ "Gurpegui". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  41. ^ "Gurpegi". Athletic Bilbao. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  42. ^ "CD Basconia: Matches". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  43. ^ "Matches Carlos Gurpegui, 2023–24 season". BDFutbol.
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