Intro:
Jose Maria Gutierrez Hernandez, or ‘Guti’ for short, is a perfect example of a Real Madrid leyenda. The Spanish midfielder has serviced the Royal Whites for over 25 years, boasting over 540 official appearances and netting a respectable 77 goals. Guti has also earned himself 15 titles at Real Madrid, 3 of which include the ever-glorious UEFA Champions League.
In this article, we will look to oversee the mercurial Spaniard’s career and how he has impacted Real Madrid, not only as a tremendous player but as a bright and promising coach.
Past:
Beginning his playing career in Real’s cantera side at the age of 8, Guti first situated as a striker in the youth team. Slowly but surely, he transformed his style so he could be a part of the midfield, a role he would flourish in until the day he stopped tying his boots.
The midfielder would find himself spending most of his career in the youth academies, as he represented both the B and C teams for a number of years. It wasn’t until almost a decade after he began his youth tenure in 1986, that he would get a chance to debut for the first team, though it was a moment he would never forget.
The 1997 season, two years after his first appearance for the Real Madrid first team, saw Guti lift his first two trophies for Real Madrid, the La Liga crown, and the Copa de Espana. The success did not stop there, however, as in the 1998 season, the golden-locked midfielder won his first ever Champions League.
With 3 trophies already to his name, Guti had a disappointing run of form that began in the early 2000s. With the output of Clarence Seedorf, expectations and pressure were at an all time high. Responsibility and character were just some of the things missing from Guti’s mind, and the most memorable incident was when he kicked a Real Sociedad player after he was already down (think Pepe).
With that being said, the team as a whole were a force to be reckoned with and lifted the inaugural Champions League.
More from The Real Champs
- Manchester City hold talks over Real Madrid target
- Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
- Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
- Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool
- PSG want €100 million Real Madrid player to replace Kylian Mbappe
The 2000-01 season could be issued as Guti’s most successful, at least statistically. Once again, the midfielder needed to fill in for a big name. With Fernando Morientes out due to injuries, Vincente del Bosque gave Guti the role of striker, a role he hadn’t played regularly since his youth. While most athletes would sob at a change in position, Gutierrez used it as motivation as he netted his most ever goals in a single season, with 14.
The next season saw the inclusion of Ronaldo after a fantastic performed at the World Cup. This meant that Guti would move back to his more natural position in the center of the park. That change could be most evident due to Guti’s scoring rate going drastically down.
Over the next couple of seasons that featured Galacticos ranging from the great Zinedine Zidane to the one and only Luis Figo, Real Madrid saw success in bunches, winning the Champions League once.
Being used as a more utility player for Real Madrid, Guti had to wait until 2006-07 to see his role expand. This time around, the midfielder needed to fill the void of a creative playmaker, as Zizou decided to call it a quits for Los Merengues. This is where Real Madrid fans across the globe saw what Guti could truly do. Displaying his skills in the attacking third, Guti employed killer vision, had the softness of touches and the most eery-flattering skill. His skill-set was so widely acknowledged, he even helped Real Madrid win their 30th league crown.
This is where Real Madrid fans across the globe saw what Guti could truly do. Displaying his skills in the attacking third, Guti employed killer vision, had the softness of touches, and the most eery-flattering skill. His skill-set was so widely acknowledged, he even helped Real Madrid win their 30th league crown.
In 2010, Gutierrez finally left Real Madrid for Besiktas. He left the club after almost 25 years, and left a legacy of greatness but also some sourness. Most thought Guti would be THE player for Real Madrid, and while many have their doubts, I’ve certainly come to the realization that Guti can and will be only remembered as Guti.
He was the one constant in a team full of Galacticos, a player that was the jack-of-all-trades rather than a master of one (current Isco). While Guti had his flaws, the success and pleasure he brought to the pitch and the passion he had for the club as a whole will be remembered widely.
Present:
While Guti’s playing days may have come to an end, his impact and the influence he has on Real Madrid is certainly in full swing. Guti found himself back in the Real Madrid staff.
Since 2013, Guti has been managing the Juvenil side of Real Madrid. He has taken the youth talent and is nurturing them the Madridista way. Showcasing the clubs values of relentlessness, passion, and a never say die attitude, Guti managed to win the youth treble this past year.
Beating out other youth teams such as Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla, Guti has managed to turn heads with his coaching ability. Similarly to Diego Simeone, Guti illustrates extreme passion on the touchline, often being seen screaming, fist bumping and hand waving for the full 90 minutes.
Guti looks like a pure motivator, and in a day and age where players seem to lose their edge, this managerial style can surely be welcomed. Guti has coached future first teamers in the likes of Luca Zidane, Fred Valverde who is currently on loan at Deportivo, and Achraf Hakimi, a full-back who is poised to replace Danilo.
Future?:
With success coming naturally to Guti wherever he goes, most journalists and pundits alike pose the question if he could ever coach Real Madrid’s first team in the future, and Guti already knows the answer. Speaking to Onda Caro, Guti said it would be ‘stupid’ not to admit he would love to follow the footsteps of Zizou and coach the first team. “I still have a lot to learn as even after being a player, it is much more difficult to be a coach”. “All Madridistas hope Zidane stays a long time yet, he is a mirror for me”, Guti said.
Next: Dani Ceballos tells Real Madrid he will sign in the coming days