Rafael Berges


Rafael Berges Martín is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a left back, and the current manager of Indonesian club Badak Lampung.

Playing career

Club

Born in Córdoba, Andalusia, Berges started playing for local Córdoba CF in the lower leagues. In the 1991–92 campaign he joined CD Tenerife, going on to spend two years in La Liga with the club.
Signing with RC Celta de Vigo in 1993, Berges went on to amass nearly 200 overall appearances and score seven league goals for the Galicians. He took part in no games in his final two seasons, however, due to recurrent injuries.
At the end of 2001–02, aged 31, Berges retired with his first club Córdoba, now in the second division. His second spell was cut short, again due to several physical problems.

International

Berges was the first-choice for Spain at the 1992 Summer Olympics, as the nation won the gold medal on home soil. He scored twice, including in the 2–0 semi-final win over Ghana.

Coaching career

Berges took up coaching in 2005, starting with Córdoba CF B. Amongst other lowly sides, he would also manage UD Almería's reserves.
On 14 June 2012, Berges was named Córdoba's main squad head coach, replacing Rayo Vallecano-bound Paco Jémez. He was relieved of his duties on 7 April of the following year, with the team ranking in ranking in ninth position in the second level.
In the 2014–15 and 2016–17 campaigns, Berges was in charge of third-tier clubs Real Jaén and UD Logroñés, respectively. He went on to work in the Liga 1, with Mitra Kukar F.C. and Badak Lampung FC.

Honours

Spain U23