Curro Torres


Cristóbal Emilio "Curro" Torres Ruiz is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right back, and is a manager.
In his professional career, whose later years were blighted by several injuries, he represented mainly Valencia, helping the team to two La Liga championships and the 2004 UEFA Cup. He appeared for Spain at the 2002 World Cup.
Torres started working as a manager in 2014, spending three years at Valencia B.

Early years

Torres was born in Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. His parents hailed from Granada, and emigrated to Germany for employment.
When their son was still an infant they moved back to Spain, settling in Catalonia.

Club career

Valencia

Torres began his career with UDA Gramenet before joining Valencia CF in 1997. He was a regular with the B-team for two seasons, being subsequently loaned out to Recreativo de Huelva and CD Tenerife in the next two years. In the latter, alongside Mista and Luis García, he was a key member of the Canary Islands club – coached by Rafael Benítez– that won promotion to La Liga.
Torres then returned to Valencia, where he proceeded to become a key member in the sides that won the national league twice and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, again under Benítez. From early 2005 onwards, however, he would be severely hindered by injuries, although he appeared in 17 games in the 2006–07 campaign, mainly as a left-back due to Emiliano Moretti's forced absence.
For 2007–08, Torres was loaned to top level newcomers Real Murcia, where his physical problems resurfaced. Upon their relegation he returned to Valencia, being restricted to two UEFA Cup matches during the season, with even midfielder Hedwiges Maduro being preferred as Miguel's backup; he left the Che in June 2009.

Later years

On 27 July 2009, Torres moved to Gimnàstic de Tarragona in Segunda División, playing no minutes whatsoever in the season as Nàstic finished in 18th position. In January of the following year, after the loan acquisitions of Borja Viguera and Álex Bergantiños by the club, the 34-year-old's contract was cancelled.

Coaching

On 7 April 2014, Torres returned to Valencia after nearly five years, being appointed manager of the reserves in Segunda División B. In 2017 he took them to the final round of the play-offs, but was knocked out by Albacete Balompié.
On 2 July 2017, Torres was named Lorca FC manager. On 17 December, with the side in the relegation zone, he was sacked.
Torres was appointed at NK Istra 1961 from the Croatian First Football League on 20 September 2018, but left the club after only one month in charge. On 19 November he replaced fired José Ramón Sandoval at the helm of Córdoba CF, and was dismissed on 25 February 2019 having earned fewer points than any other second division team during that period.
On 27 December 2019, Torres was named manager of second division side CD Lugo after the sacking of Eloy Jiménez. He was himself relieved of his duties six months later, with the team second from bottom.

International career

Courtesy of solid performances whilst at Valencia, Torres made his debut for Spain on 14 November 2001 in a friendly match with Mexico in Huelva, and was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, where he appeared against South Africa in the group stage.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Valencia