The José Ramón Cisneros Palacios Sports City in Seville hosted a recognition ceremony organised by the Spanish football community and led by RFEF President Rafael Louzán in honour of Andalusian coach Joaquín Caparrós, who has managed more than 500 matches in LaLiga while helping develop some of the finest footballers in the history of Spanish football from the youth ranks.

The current Honorary President of Sevilla FC expressed his appreciation for the visit from the RFEF’s highest representative, who took the opportunity to pay tribute to the coach during his stay in the Andalusian capital for Spain’s UEFA Nations League Matchday 2 fixture against Croatia.

Rafael Louzán was joined at Sevilla FC’s training centre by the President of the Royal Andalusian Football Federation, Pedro Curtido; the President of the Royal Melilla Football Federation, Diego Martínez; the President of the RFEF Coaches’ Committee, Iván Cancela; the Director of the RFEF Academy, Diego Gutiérrez; and Antonio Muñoz Canela, President of the RFAF Coaches’ Committee.

Joaquín Caparrós received the affection and recognition of the entire Spanish football family, represented by the Spain shirt presented to him by the RFEF President, together with a photograph from his time as a coach, on the very day Spain unveiled its two World Cup stars on home soil for the first time.

After beginning his coaching career with modest clubs in the province of Cuenca, Caparrós went on to manage RC Recreativo de Huelva, whom he guided to promotion to the Segunda División, as well as Villarreal CF, RC Deportivo, Athletic Club, Neuchatel Xamax (Switzerland), RCD Mallorca, Levante UD, Granada CF, CA Osasuna and his beloved Sevilla FC on several occasions, most recently guiding the club to safety in LaLiga.

In recognition of his professional career, Joaquín Caparrós received the RFEF Coaches’ Committee ‘Gold Card’ at the end of 2025, several months after his most recent spell on the touchline as Sevilla FC head coach.