Paquito Escudero

Not to be confused with Francisco García Gómez.

Paquito

Personal information
Full name	Francisco Gabriel Escudero Martínez
Date of birth	(1966-03-24) 24 March 1966
Place of birth	Rafal, Spain
Height
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1974–1985	Betis Florida
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1988	Alicante
1988–1990	Benidorm
1990–2001	Hércules	306	(24)
Managerial career
2003–2007	Hércules (assistant)
2007	Hércules
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Escudero and the second or maternal family name is Martínez.

Francisco Gabriel Escudero Martínez (born 24 March 1966), commonly known as Paquito, is a Spanish retired football midfielder and manager.

The vast majority of his professional career was associated with Hércules, as he served the club as a player, coach and director of football.

Playing career

Born in Rafal, Alicante, Valencian Community, Paquito started playing football in the neighborhood of La Florida. He made his senior debuts with Alicante CF in Tercera División, going on to play two seasons with Benidorm CF and helping the team promote (also finishing the regular season as champions) to Segunda División B for the second time in their history.

In 1990, Paquito remained in his native region and signed with Hércules CF, helping to promotion to Segunda División in his third year. In his 11-year spell he appeared in more than 300 official games, contributing with 34 matches (one goal) as the club returned to La Liga after a ten-year absence and being again an undisputed starter in the following campaign, which ended in immediate relegation back; his top flight debut occurred on 1 September 1996, in a 2–1 home win against CF Extremadura.

Coaching / Managing career

Paquito suffered a serious injury during 1999–00, with Hércules in the third division, officially retiring from football in May 2001 at age 35. He remained with the club working in directorial capacities and, in 2003, began working as an assistant coach, a position he held under managers José Carlos Granero, Juan Carlos Mandiá, José Bordalás and Josu Uribe.

In May 2007, following Uribe's dismissal, Paquito was named head coach until the end of the second division season, eventually avoiding relegation with two wins, one draw and two losses in his five games in charge. He was named director of football in the following campaign, remaining in charge for several years.

Honours

Player

• Segunda División: 1995–96
• Tercera División: 1988–89

External links

• Paquito profile at BDFutbol
• Paquito manager profile at BDFutbol