Real Club Celta de Vigo (Galician pronunciation: [reˈal ˈkluβ ˈθelta ðe ˈβiɣo]; Royal Club Celta de Vigo), or simply Celta Vigo or sometimes just Celta, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Liga. It was founded on 23 August 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club. Nicknamed Os Celestes (The Sky Blues), they play in sky blue shirts and white shorts. The club's home stadium is Balaídos, which seats 29,000 spectators. Celta's name is derived from the Celts who were once present in the region. Its main rival is fellow Galician club Deportivo de La Coruña, with whom it contests the Galician derby.
Celta have never won the league title nor Copa del Rey, although it has reached the final three times in the latter. One of the team's best seasons was 1970–71, when they finished unbeaten at home and were known as the "giant-killers". Celta came sixth that season and qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time. More recently, the club finished in their best-ever position of fourth in 2002–03, qualifying for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, where they were eliminated by Arsenal in the Round of 16.
History
Foundation
R.C. Celta de Vigo was formed as a result of the ambition of Vigo's teams to achieve more at national level, where the Basque sides had been their bête noire in the Spanish Championship. The idea was to merge both teams to create a more powerful team at national level. The standard-bearer of this movement was Manuel de Castro "Handicap", a sports writer for the Faro de Vigo who, from 1915, began to write in his articles about the need for a unitarian movement. The slogan of his movement was "Todo por y para Vigo" ("All for and to Vigo"), which eventually found support among the managers of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Club Fortuna de Vigo. It was backed unanimously when De Castro himself presented the motion at the assembly of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in Madrid on 22 June 1923.
On 12 July 1923, at the annual general meetings (AGMs) of Vigo and Fortuna held at the Odeon Theatre and in the Hotel Moderno, respectively, the merger was approved. Thus the "Team of Galicia" was born, as it was dubbed. In the last AGM of Fortuna and Vigo to approve the formation of a new club held on 10 August 1923, the members decided upon the team's name. Various names suggested include "Real Unión de Vigo", "Club Galicia", "Real Atlántic", "Breogán" and "Real Club Olimpico". The latter name was popular, but they eventually decided on "Real Club Celta", an ethnic race linked to Galicia (see Celts). The first president of Celta was Manuel Bárcena de Andrés, the Count of Torre Cedeira. At this AGM, the squad was also decided, which numbered 64 players in total and included some notable players from both Fortuna and Vigo:
- Goalkeepers: Isidro, Lilo and Rubido
- Defenders: Otero, Pasarín, Juanito Clemente, Daniel y Kaíto
- Midfielders: Jacobo Torres, Balbino, Queralt, Hermida, Pombo, Cruces, Córdoba, Máximo y Bienvenido
- Forwards: Reigosa, Chiarroni, Posada, Polo, Correa, Gerardito, Ramón González, Caride, Pinilla, Salvador, Chicha, Miguelito y Casal, Park.
- Manager: Francis Cuggy
EuroCelta
The years 1997 through 2003 saw the best results in Celta's history, culminating in 2002–03, when the club after many attempts finally finished fourth and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. They were dubbed "EuroCelta" by the Spanish press. In February 2001, the IFFHS declared Celta the best team of the world during that month. Key players during the period included Alexander Mostovoi, Valery Karpin and Haim Revivo, though the squad also relied upon other international players as well, such as goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero; defender and future coach Eduardo Berizzo, midfielders Claude Makélélé and Mazinho; winger Gustavo López; and strikers Catanha and Luboslav Penev, among others.
Decline
Celta had a dramatic reversal of fortune in 2003–04. In the previous season, they finished fourth in the league, putting them in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Celta entered the group phase after eliminating Slavia Prague, and eventually reached the last 16 before being knocked out by Arsenal. However, their domestic form was disastrous, finishing second-to-last in La Liga, thus sealing their relegation to the Segunda División. Although the squad was heavily dismantled following the demotion, Celta earned an immediate return to the top flight after finishing second in 2004–05.
In the 2005–06 season, they finished sixth earning a return once more to the UEFA Cup. They made it to the last 16 in that competition as well before losing to German side Werder Bremen. The next year, 2006–07, Celta finished in 18th and were once again relegated to the Segunda División. At the end of June 2007, Celta avoided going into administration. However, if an agreement was not put in place between the club and its creditors within three months, then courts would declare the liquidation of the club's assets.
Due to heavy debt, the club was forced to sell many players and make tremendous cuts in the club's finances. Since then, they have been relying mainly on the reserve team, combined with some inexpensive signings. During the first three seasons in the Segunda División, the club struggled to avoid further relegation, all amid fears of the club's complete disappearance. This was a period of high instability, with constant changes of managers and players. In the 2010–11 season, however, the signings of striker David Rodríguez, winger Enrique de Lucas and manager Paco Herrera turned the situation around. The club finished sixth after a fantastic season and qualified for promotion. Nevertheless, they were eliminated in the first knockout round by Granada after a penalty shootout, the game having finished 1–1 in 90 minutes.
Return to La Liga
On 3 June 2012, Celta returned to La Liga after a five-year absence.[2] In their first season back, they avoided relegation to the Segunda División on the final day after beating RCD Espanyol 1–0 to ensure a 17th-place finish. On 8 June 2013, Celta announced they had signed former Roma and then-Barcelona B manager Luis Enrique to lead the club for the 2013–14 season. Under Luis Enrique, Celta flourished, finishing ninth. After Luis Enrique's departure, his replacement, Eduardo Berizzo, led the team to eighth in La Liga during 2014–15, and in the following season, Celta challenged the top teams during the autumn.
Club identity
Kit
Celta Vigo's original home colours (1923).
Celta's original team strip consisted of a red shirt, black shorts and blue socks. This was later changed at an unknown date to the traditional sky blue and white strip, representative of the Galician flag.
Celta have the longest-running sponsorship deal in Spanish football, and one of the longest-running sponsorships in Europe alongside German's Wolfsburg with Volkswagen, Italian's Inter Milan with Pirelli and Dutch's PSV Eindhoven with Philips. Going back to the 1985–86[3] season, Citroën, the biggest employer in Vigo and in all of Galicia, has been their official shirt sponsor. Their business deal with kit supplier, Umbro, was also one of the longest-running ones – Umbro's regional headquarters are based in nearby Redondela.
Crest
Like many other Galician clubs, such as Compostela and Racing Ferrol, the club badge is based on the red cross of Saint James. On top of the cross sits a sky blue shield with two letter "Cs" (Club Celta). In 1923, Celta became one of several Spanish football clubs that were granted patronage by the Spanish crown and thus entitled to use Real (Royal) in their names and the royal crown on their badge. This right was granted to Celta by Alfonso XIII, and the club subsequently became known as Real Club Celta de Vigo. During the Spanish Second Republic (1931–1936), the title Real was removed from the club's name and the royal crown was taken off the club crest; however, it was returned under the Spanish State.
Seasons
European history
Current squad
- As of 30 August 2016[4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Club records
As of 31 August 2015 [5]
- Most league goals – 107, Hermidita (1945–56)
- Most Primera División league goals – 104, Hermidita (1945–56)
- Most goals in a season – 69, (1998–99)
- Most league appearances – 432, Manolo (1966–82)
- Current player with most league appearances – 165, Hugo Mallo
- Biggest win and biggest home win – 10–1 (v. Gimnàstic, 23 October 1949)
- Biggest away win – 1–6 (v. Athletic Bilbao, 24 March 2002)
- Biggest defeat and biggest away defeat – 10–0 (v. Athletic Bilbao, 11 January 1942)
- Most Home points in a season –
- Most Away points in a season – 27 (2015–16)
- Record transfer fee paid – €13.5 million, Catanha from Málaga (summer of 2000)
- Record transfer fee received – €18 million, Nolito to Manchester City (summer of 2016)
Top goalscorers
As of 26 April 2016 [5]
Internationals who have played at Celta
Club officials
President
Vice presidents
- Ricardo Barros Hermida
- Pedro Posada
Senior club staff
- General manager: Antonio Chaves
- Director of Football: Miguel Torrecilla
- Director of Youth Teams: Carlos Hugo García-Bayón
- Club Delegate: Vladimir Gudelj
- Administrative Director: María José Herbón
- Head of PR: José Carlos Bastos
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Eduardo Berizzo
- Assistant manager: Ernesto Marcucci
- Assistant coach: Roberto Bonano
- Fitness coach: Pablo Fernández
- Goalkeeping coach: Carlos Kisluk
Former managers
|
|
|
| Dates |
Name |
| 1985–86 |
 José Luis García Traid |
| 1986 |
Pepe Villar |
| 1986–87 |
 Colin Addison |
| 1987–88 |
José María Maguregui |
| 1988 |
Pepe Villar |
| 1988–90 |
José Manuel Díaz Novoa |
| 1990–91 |
José María Maguregui |
| 1991–94 |
Txetxu Rojo |
| 1994–95 |
 Carlos Aimar |
| 1995–97 |
Fernando Castro Santos |
| July 1, 1997 – June 30, 1998 |
Javier Irureta |
| July 1, 1998 – June 30, 2002 |
Víctor Fernández |
| July 1, 2002 – Jan 26, 2004 |
Miguel Ángel Lotina |
| Jan 29, 2004 – March 4 |
 Radomir Antić |
| March 2004 – June 4 |
Ramón Carnero |
| July 1, 2004 – April 9, 2007 |
Fernando Vázquez |
| April 11, 2007 – Oct 8, 2007 |
 Hristo Stoichkov |
| Oct 8, 2007 – March 11, 2008 |
Juan Ramón López Caro |
| March 12, 2008 – May 12, 2008 |
Antonio López |
| May 12, 2008 – June 30, 2008 |
Alejandro Menéndez |
| July 1, 2008 – March 9 |
Pepe Murcia |
| March 3, 2009 – June 30, 2010 |
Eusebio Sacristán |
| July 1, 2010 – Feb 18, 2013 |
Paco Herrera |
| Feb 18, 2013 – June 8, 2013 |
Abel Resino |
| June 9, 2013 – May 19, 2014 |
Luis Enrique |
| June 2, 2014– |
Eduardo Berizzo |
|
Presidents
| Dates |
Name |
| 1923–28 |
Manuel de Barcena y Andrés |
| 1928–29 |
Manuel Prieto González |
| 1929–32 |
Alfredo Escobar |
| 1932–33 |
Luis de Vicente Sasiáin |
| 1933–34 |
Indalecio Vázquez |
| 1934–35 |
Cesáreo González |
| 1935–39 |
Rodrigo de la Rasilla |
| 1939–40 |
Pedro Braña Merino |
| 1940–41 |
Manuel Núñez González |
|
| Dates |
Name |
| 1941–42 |
Fernando de Miguel Rodríguez |
| 1942–48 |
Luis Iglesias Fernández |
| 1948–50 |
Avelino Ponte Caride |
| 1950–52 |
Faustino Álvarez Álvarez |
| 1952–56 |
Manuel Prieto Pérez |
| 1956–58 |
Antonio Herrero Montero |
| 1958–59 |
Antonio Alfageme |
| 1959–61 |
Celso Lorenzo Vila |
| 1961–63 |
Carlos Barreras Barret |
|
| Dates |
Name |
| 1963–64 |
Antonio Crusat Pardiñas |
| 1964–65 |
Manuel Rodríguez Gómez |
| 1965–69 |
Daniel Alonso González |
| 1969–70 |
Ramón de Castro |
| 1970–73 |
Rodrigo Alonso Fariña |
| 1973–77 |
Antonio Vázquez Gómez |
| 1977–80 |
Jaime Arbones Alonso |
| 1980 |
Rodrigo Arbones Alonso |
| 1980 |
Elías Posada |
|
| Dates |
Name |
| 1980–82 |
Elías Alonso Riego |
| 1982–90 |
José Luis Rivadulla García |
| 1990–91 |
José Luis Alejo Álvarez |
| 1991 |
Eloy de Francisco |
| 1991–95 |
José Luis Núñez Gallego |
| 1995–06 |
Horacio Gómez Araújo |
| 2006– |
Carlos Mouriño |
|
Celta Vigo B
Celta de Vigo B is Celta's youth team. It was founded in 1996 and plays in the Segunda División B.
Honours
National titles
- Winners (3): 1935–36, 1981–82, 1991–92
- Runners-up (4): 1968–69, 1975–76, 2004–05, 2011–12
- Runners-up (3): 1947–48, 1993–94, 2000–01
European titles
- Winners (1): 2000
Regional titles
- Winners (6): 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1929–30, 1931–32, 1933–34
- Asturian-Galician Championship
- Winners (1): 1934–35
- Winners (2): 2007, 2008
Youth titles
- Runners-up (2): 2008–09, 2012–13
Friendly
- Winners (22): 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012
- Runners-up (14): 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007
- Winners (18): 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Runners-up (2): 1997, 2010
- Winners (1): 2016
- Winners (1): 1999
- Winners (1): 1999
- Winners (1): 2014
Individual
- 1947–48 – Pahiño (23 goals)
- 1992–93 – Santiago Cañizares (30 Goals/36 Games – Coef. 0.83)
- 2002–03 – Pablo Cavallero (27 Goals/34 Games – Coef. 0.79)
- 2005–06 – José Manuel Pinto (28 Goals/36 Games – Coef. 0.78)
Notes
- 1.^ Carlos Mouriño is the plurality shareholder, with 35%, and as such is the club president.
See also
References
Further reading
- González Villar, Celso. Albores do fútbol Vigues (in Galician).
- Cros, Jaime (1973). El Celta y la Liga (in Spanish). Murcia: APANDA de Artes Gráficas, S.A. ISBN 84-605-5851-7.
- Cros, Jaime (1974). Celta 74 (in Spanish).
- Álvarez, Eugenio (2004). A historia do Celta (1992–2004) (in Spanish). Vigo. p. 272.
- Ball, Phil (2001). "Raining Champions". Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football. Kings Lynn, England: WSC Books. pp. 165–181. ISBN 0-9540134-6-8.
External links
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