Pacheta

José Rojo Martín (born 23 March 1968), known as Pacheta, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a midfielder, currently a manager.

He amassed La Liga totals of 183 matches and 15 goals over eight seasons, representing in the competition Real Burgos, Espanyol and Numancia.

He added 112 games and 17 goals in the Segunda División.

He made his debut as a senior with local Racing Lermeño in 1987 while also working as a carpenter.

Two years later, he moved to CD Numancia of Segunda División B.

After failing to appear in La Liga with Real Burgos CF during the 1990–91 season (he only appeared for the farm team CA Burgalés in the Tercera División), Pacheta signed for third-tier side CA Marbella, being promoted in his debut campaign.

On 6 September 1992, he played his first match as a professional, starting in a 1–1 Segunda División home draw against CD Castellón.

In June 1994, following a short spell at CP Mérida, Pacheta joined top-division RCD Espanyol.

His maiden appearance in the competition took place on 17 September, when he came on as a second-half substitute in the 0–0 home draw with FC Barcelona.

He scored his first goal on 16 April of the following year, in a 3–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao also at the Sarrià Stadium.

Pacheta signed with Numancia of the same league in summer 1999, after 134 competitive appearances for the Catalans.

He retired in 2004 at the age of 36, joining the former club's staff shortly after.

In 2009, Pacheta became a manager, leading Numancia, Huesca, Valladolid and Villarreal in the top flight while also having brief spells in Poland and Thailand.

Born in Salas de los Infantes, Province of Burgos, Castile and León, Pacheta inherited his nickname as a family tradition of unknown origin.

In June 2007, Pacheta was appointed Numancia's director of football, switching to manager on 17 February 2009 as a replacement for the fired Sergije Krešić.

He remained in charge for 15 matches, as the Soria team were eventually relegated from the top flight.

On 15 February 2011, Pacheta signed for Real Oviedo in division three, leading the club to eighth place and renewing his contract for a further year in May.

He resigned on 24 May 2012, and joined FC Cartagena on 10 December.

Two months later, after five wins, three draws and four defeats in 12 matches in all competitions, and with the club sitting 13th in the league, just five points away from the relegation zone, he was sacked.

Pacheta was relieved of his duties on 20 May 2013, despite earning runner-up honours in the league with the Murcians, albeit without promotion to the second tier.

He moved abroad in August, being appointed at Ekstraklasa side Korona Kielce.

Pacheta left the Polish team in June 2014, and signed with Hércules CF shortly after.

On 25 January of the following year, he was sacked after only managing to win three out of twelve home games.

On 27 February 2018, after an experience in Thailand with Ratchaburi FC, Pacheta replaced the dismissed Josico at the helm of Elche CF.

On 22 May 2019, after achieving promotion to the second division the previous campaign, he renewed his contract for a further season.

Just two days after promoting to the top tier in the play-offs, Pacheta left the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on 25 August 2020.

The following 12 January, he took over for Míchel at SD Huesca in the same league.

After not being able to avoid relegation, he resigned.

On 16 June 2021, Pacheta was appointed manager of Real Valladolid, also relegated to the second division.

He managed another promotion in his first year, as runners-up, but was dismissed on 3 April 2023 due to poor results, the last being a 6–0 away loss to Real Madrid which left his team one point above the relegation zone.

Pacheta became the new coach of Villarreal CF on 9 September 2023, taking over from Quique Setién.