View source for Javier Clemente

{{Short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{family name hatnote|Clemente|Lázaro|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
 | name = Javier Clemente
 | image = JaviClemente.jpg
 | caption = Clemente in 2008
 | fullname = Javier Clemente Lázaro<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20120213/javier-clemente-nuevo-entrenador-del-sporting/497944.shtml|title=Javier Clemente, nuevo entrenador del Sporting de Gijón|trans-title=Javier Clemente, new manager of Sporting de Gijón|publisher=[[RTVE]]|language=es|date=13 February 2012|access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref>
 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|3|12|df=y}}<ref name=Bio/>
 | birth_place = [[Barakaldo]], Spain
 | height = 1.71 m
 | position = [[Midfielder]]
 | currentclub = 
 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[Barakaldo CF|Barakaldo]]
 | youthyears2 = 1966–1968 | youthclubs2 = [[Athletic Bilbao]]
 | years1 = 1968–1973 | clubs1 = [[Athletic Bilbao]] | caps1 = 47 | goals1 = 6
 | years2 = 1973–1974 | clubs2 = [[Athletic Bilbao B|Bilbao Athletic]] | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 0
 | totalcaps = 54 | totalgoals = 6
 | nationalyears1 = 1968 | nationalteam1 = [[Spain national under-18 football team|Spain U18]] | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0
 | nationalyears2 = 1969–1970 | nationalteam2 = [[Spain national under-23 football team|Spain U23]] | nationalcaps2 = 2 | nationalgoals2 = 1
 | manageryears1 = 1975–1976 | managerclubs1 = [[Arenas Club de Getxo|Arenas Getxo]]
 | manageryears2 = 1976–1978 | managerclubs2 = [[CD Basconia|Basconia]]
 | manageryears3 = 1979–1981 | managerclubs3 = [[Bilbao Athletic]]
 | manageryears4 = 1981–1986 | managerclubs4 = [[Athletic Bilbao]]
 | manageryears5 = 1986–1989 | managerclubs5 = [[RCD Espanyol|Español]]
 | manageryears6 = 1989–1990 | managerclubs6 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
 | manageryears7 = 1990–1991 | managerclubs7 = [[Athletic Bilbao]]
 | manageryears8 = 1991–1992 | managerclubs8 = [[RCD Espanyol|Español]]
 | manageryears9 = 1992–1996 | managerclubs9 = [[Spain national football team|Spain U21]]
 | manageryears10 = 1992–1998 | managerclubs10 = [[Spain national football team|Spain]]
 | manageryears11 = 1998–1999 | managerclubs11 = [[Real Betis|Betis]]
 | manageryears12 = 1999–2000 | managerclubs12 = [[Real Sociedad]]
 | manageryears13 = 2000–2001 | managerclubs13 = [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
 | manageryears14 = 2002 | managerclubs14 = [[CD Tenerife|Tenerife]]
 | manageryears15 = 2002–2003 | managerclubs15 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
 | manageryears16 = 2005–2006 | managerclubs16 = [[Athletic Bilbao]]
 | manageryears17 = 2006–2007 | managerclubs17 = [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]]
 | manageryears18 = 2008 | managerclubs18 = [[Real Murcia CF|Murcia]]
 | manageryears19 = 2010 | managerclubs19 = [[Real Valladolid|Valladolid]]
 | manageryears20 = 2010–2011 | managerclubs20 = [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
 | manageryears21 = 2012 | managerclubs21 = [[Sporting de Gijón|Sporting Gijón]]
 | manageryears22 = 2013–2016 | managerclubs22 = [[Libya national football team|Libya]]
 | manageryears23 = 2019–2021 | managerclubs23 = [[Basque Country national football team|Basque Country]]
 | manageryears24 = 2021–2022 | managerclubs24 = [[Libya national football team|Libya]]
 | medaltemplates = {{medalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|ESP}}}} (as manager)
{{MedalComp|[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|1996]]|}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|Libya}}}} (as manager)
{{MedalComp|[[African Nations Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2014 African Nations Championship|2014]]|}}
}}
'''Javier Clemente Lázaro''' ({{IPA|es|xaˈβjeɾ kleˈmente ˈlaθaɾo}}; born 12 March 1950) is a Spanish [[Association football|football]] manager and former player who played as a [[midfielder]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1969/12/10/pagina-13/947881/pdf.html|title=Clemente, el "Bobby Charlton" español|trans-title=Clemente, Spain's "Bobby Charlton"|newspaper=[[Mundo Deportivo]]|first=Carmelo|last=De Altea|language=es|date=10 December 1969|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

Forced to retire from playing in his early 20s through injury, he embarked on a coaching career with his first managerial appointment coming in 1975. Over the next four decades, he took charge of several club and national teams, including [[Athletic Bilbao]] which he also represented as a player, as well as [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] and [[Spain national football team|Spain]]. He won the [[La Liga]] championship in [[1982–83 La Liga|1983]] and [[1983–84 La Liga|1984]] with the former.

Nicknamed ''El rubio de [[Barakaldo]]'' (The blond from Barakaldo) per his hair colour and town of origin,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deia.com/2011/11/19/bizkaia/hemendik-sariak-2011/me-encanta-ser-el-rubio-de-barakaldo|title=Me encanta ser el rubio de Barakaldo|trans-title=I love being the blond from Barakaldo|newspaper=[[Deia (newspaper)|Deia]]|first=Tamara|last=De la Rosa|language=es|date=19 November 2011|access-date=19 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729211647/http://www.deia.com/2011/11/19/bizkaia/hemendik-sariak-2011/me-encanta-ser-el-rubio-de-barakaldo|archive-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> Clemente coached the Spain national team in two [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]] and [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]].

==Playing career==
Born in [[Barakaldo]], [[Biscay]], Clemente joined [[Athletic Bilbao]]'s youth system at the age of 16, from local [[Barakaldo CF]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deia.com/2011/05/16/especiales/elecciones-22m/entrevistas/barakaldo-lleva-mucho-tiempo-abandonado|title=Javier Clemente: "Barakaldo lleva mucho tiempo abandonado"|trans-title=Javier Clemente: "Barakaldo has been abandoned for a long time"|newspaper=Deia|first=Concha|last=Lago|language=es|date=16 May 2011|access-date=19 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629085010/http://www.deia.com/2011/05/16/especiales/elecciones-22m/entrevistas/barakaldo-lleva-mucho-tiempo-abandonado|archive-date=29 June 2012}}</ref> He was propelled to the first team at only 18 by manager [[Agustín Gaínza]], making his official debut against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in [[1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|that season]]'s [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] (2–1 home win, 3–3 aggregate triumph);<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2018/09/22/primera/1537592196_473155.html|title=Los otros 50 años de Clemente|trans-title=Clemente's other 50|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|first=Santiago|last=Segurola|language=es|date=22 September 2018|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref> along with fellow teenage newcomer [[José María Igartua]], he was selected for the [[1969 Copa del Generalísimo final]], a 1–0 victory over [[Elche CF]] in [[Madrid]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/opinion/2019/01/10/blogs/1547110967_295252.html|title=Igartua, el futbolista pelotari|trans-title=Igartua, the pelotari footballer|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Alfredo|last=Relaño|language=es|date=10 January 2019|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref><ref name=COPA>{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/athletic-de-bilbao/274469.html|title=Ante el Elche llegó la 21ª Copa|trans-title=The 21st Cup came against Elche|publisher=[[Vavel]]|first=Juan Antonio|last=Parejo Delgado|language=es|date=29 October 2013|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref>

Clemente's best [[La Liga]] output with his only club consisted of 18 games in the [[1969–70 La Liga|1969–70 campaign]]. On 23 November 1969, during a league match against [[CE Sabadell FC]], he suffered a serious leg injury ([[fibula]] and [[tibia]]) from which he never fully recovered; after four unsuccessful operations, he retired aged just 24.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/pais-vasco/2016/05/16/573997dee5fdea5a598b45fb.html|title=El último partido de Clemente|trans-title=Clemente's last match|newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|first=Jon|last=Rivas|language=es|date=16 May 2016|access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===Beginnings and Athletic===
Clemente started coaching immediately after retiring. His first stops were with local [[Arenas Club de Getxo]], [[CD Basconia]] and [[Bilbao Athletic|Athletic's reserves]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1977/01/28/deportes/223254017_850215.html|title=Clemente, de niño prodigio a entrenador en Tercera|trans-title=Clemente, from wonderkid to coach in ''Tercera''|newspaper=[[El País]]|first=Alfredo|last=Relaño|language=es|date=28 January 1977|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

In summer 1981, 31-year-old Clemente was appointed at Athletic Bilbao. He led the side to back-to-back national championships in [[1982–83 La Liga|his second]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1983/05/02/pagina-4/1092056/pdf.html#|title=Otro alirón vasco|trans-title=Another Basque victory song|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=L.|last=García Jiménez|language=es|date=2 May 1983|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> and [[1983–84 La Liga|third years]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mediocentro.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/clemente-o-la-maestria-del-patadon-y-tente-tieso/|title=Clemente, o la maestría del 'patadón y tente tieso'|trans-title=Clemente, or how to be a master of the 'long ball and grab your balls'|publisher=Medio Centro|language=es|date=6 March 2008|access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eldiario.es/canariasahora/deportes/Clemente-anos-despues_0_221878224.html|title=Clemente, 25 años después|trans-title=Clemente, 25 years after|newspaper=Canarias Ahora|language=es|date=15 September 2008|access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> but, during this timeframe, also began a [[Athletic–Barcelona clásico|bitter rivalry]] with [[César Luis Menotti]] and his [[FC Barcelona]] – the [[Argentina|Argentine]] criticised his playing style as authoritarian and his teams as defensive and destructive, and the Spaniard in turn dismissed Menotti as an ageing hippy and womaniser; the culmination of this was the [[1983–84 Copa del Rey|1984 final]] of the [[Copa del Rey]], which ended in a massive brawl between the two sets of players.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1988/01/03/deportes/568162807_850215.html|title=La guerra dialéctica Clemente-Menotti pone tension en el Español-Atlético de Madrid|trans-title=Clemente-Menotti war of words tenses Español-Atlético de Madrid up|newspaper=El País|first=José Damián|last=González|language=es|date=3 January 1988|access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref>

Clemente left the Lions midway through the [[1985–86 La Liga|1985–86 season]], after a run-in with star player [[Manuel Sarabia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1986/01/21/deportes/506646009_850215.html|title=El enfrentamiento Clemente-Sarabia reúne dos días seguidos a la directiva del {{sic|nolink=y|Athlétic}}|trans-title=Clemente-Sarabia run-in has Athletic board of directors in two-day meeting|newspaper=El País|first=Patxo|last=Unzueta|language=es|date=21 January 1986|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> He was subsequently appointed at [[RCD Espanyol|RCD Español]] in the same league,<!--Name at time--> leading them to a best-ever third place in [[1986–87 La Liga|1987]] and the [[1988 UEFA Cup final|final of the UEFA Cup the following year]], but being relieved of his duties in March 1989 after questioning his squad's desire – the campaign eventually ended [[1988–89 La Liga|in relegation]] for the [[Catalonia|Catalans]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1989/03/04/deportes/604969206_850215.html|title=La {{sic|nolink=y|dírectiva}} del Español destituye a Clemente|trans-title=Español board of directors dismisses Clemente|newspaper=El País|language=es|date=4 March 1989|access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/rcd-espanyol/20230529/1002013079/asi-anteriores-descensos-espanyol.html|title=Así fueron los anteriores cinco descensos del Espanyol|trans-title=This was how Espanyol's five previous relegations went down|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first1=Anna|last1=Cordovilla|first2=Javier|last2=Alfaro|language=es|date=29 May 2023|access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref>

In the following years, Clemente had incomplete top-flight spells with [[Atlético Madrid]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1990/02/28/deportes/636159603_850215.html|title=Gil destituye a Clemente por no lograr éxitos|trans-title=Gil fires Clemente for failing to win|newspaper=El País|first=Juan José|last=Paradinas|language=es|date=28 February 1990|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> a return to Athletic Bilbao and Español.<!--Name at time-->

===Spain national team===
In 1992 Clemente was appointed manager of [[Spain national football team|Spain]], replacing [[Vicente Miera]] after the nation had failed to [[UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying|qualify]] for [[UEFA Euro 1992]]. His first game in charge was a 1–0 [[Exhibition game|friendly]] win over [[England national football team|England]] on 9 September,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1992/09/10/MD19920910-002.pdf|title=La nueva etapa se abre con victoria|trans-title=New era gets started with win|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Jordi|last=Archs|language=es|date=10 September 1992|access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> and he led the country to the following three major international tournaments, the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]] and [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] [[FIFA World Cup]]s and [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]], being eliminated in the group stage of the second competition<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/24/spain_bulgaria/|title=Spain beats Bulgaria 6–1 but fails to qualify|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=24 June 1998|access-date=11 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000915081942/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/24/spain_bulgaria/|archive-date=15 September 2000}}</ref> and having a run of 31 matches without defeat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodevalladolid.es/deportes/231116/157125/valladolid-alargo-racha-partidos-invicta-espana-javi-clemente-1997.html|title=Valladolid alargó la racha de partidos invicta de la España de Javi Clemente en 1997|trans-title=Valladolid extended run of undefeated matches of Javi Clemente's Spain in 1997|newspaper=Diario de Valladolid|first=Daniel|last=Martín Arranz|language=es|date=16 November 2023|access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref>

Clemente's last game in charge was on 5 September 1998, a 3–2 defeat in [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]] for the [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying|Euro 2000 qualifiers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1998/septiembre/05/deportes/futbol.html|title=España cae ante Chipre, un equipo repleto de aficionados|trans-title=Spain fall against Cyprus, team filled with amateurs|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=5 September 1998|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

===La Liga and France===
Clemente returned to club action after his national team dismissal, working in the main division with [[Real Betis]], [[Real Sociedad]], [[CD Tenerife]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2002/02/18/liga/1014062785.html|title=El Tenerife despide a Mel y ficha a Javier Clemente|trans-title=Tenerife fire Mel and sign Javier Clemente|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=19 February 2002|access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> Espanyol for a second time, a [[2000–01 French Division 1|one-season]] spell in [[Ligue 1]] with [[Olympique de Marseille]], and back with Athletic Bilbao. He helped the latter avoid relegation in the [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06 season]] but, shortly before [[2006–07 La Liga|the new campaign]] started, was fired after a disagreement with chairman [[Fernando Lamikiz]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/139065/0/FUTBOL/CLEMENTE/|title=Clemente, destituido tras criticar la política de fichajes|trans-title=Clemente, fired after criticising signing policy|newspaper=[[20 minutos]]|language=es|date=7 July 2006|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/athletic/es/desarrollo/668975.html|title=Clemente: "Lamikiz me ha vendido vilmente"|trans-title=Clemente: "Lamikiz sold me with a vengeance"|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=7 July 2006|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

Over his three spells in charge at [[San Mamés Stadium (1913)|San Mamés]], Clemente was manager in 289 official matches, which set a club record. This was broken in 2017 by [[Ernesto Valverde]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://capitaldeporte.com/athletic-ernesto-valverde-partidos/|title=Valverde se convierte en una leyenda viva en San Mamés|trans-title=Valverde becomes a living legend at San Mamés|publisher=Capital Deporte|language=es|date=21 February 2017|access-date=2 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803005655/https://capitaldeporte.com/athletic-ernesto-valverde-partidos/|archive-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> who also surpassed his total of 211 league matches managed, finishing on 228, but was unable to match his record of victories: the former won 141 games – 102 in the league – while the latter came up one short, with 140 and 101.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/coaches.html|title=Coaches history|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|access-date=2 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163132/https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/coaches.html|archive-date=12 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/futbol/athletic/detalle/4807001/valverde-podria-igualar-record-historico-victorias-clemente/|title=Valverde podría igualar el récord histórico de victorias de Clemente|trans-title=Valverde close to equalling Clemente's historical record of victories|publisher=[[EITB]]|language=es|date=2 May 2017|access-date=2 August 2017}}</ref>

===Serbia===
Clemente became manager of the [[Serbia national football team|Serbia national team]] on 21 July 2006, being brought in on initiative from [[Serbian Football Association]] president [[Zvezdan Terzić]]. According to local media his salary was €30,000 per month on a two-year contract, worth €720,000 in total – also, he was eligible for a €400,000 bonus if the country [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying|qualified for Euro 2008]], and an additional €150,000 bonus for every round passed at the tournament; in an interview given to Serbian daily ''[[Politika]]'', he claimed his current was the lowest wage he had earned in the last 20 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politika.rs/detaljno.php?nid=5608|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912224058/http://www.politika.rs/detaljno.php?nid=5608|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|script-title=sr:Поносим се радом у Србији|trans-title=I'm proud of my work in Serbia|newspaper=[[Politika]]|language=sr|date=3 September 2006|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

Clemente made his debut on 16 August 2006 in a 3–1 away friendly victory with [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]]. New players introduced into the squad included [[Danko Lazović]], [[Marko Pantelić]], [[Vladimir Stojković]] and [[Aleksandar Trišović]], while previous mainstays such as [[Predrag Đorđević]], [[Dragoslav Jevrić]], [[Mateja Kežman]], [[Savo Milošević]] and [[Albert Nađ]] were dropped. The continental qualification campaign started with three home wins, over [[Azerbaijan national football team|Azerbaijan]], [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] and [[Armenia national football team|Armenia]], and a draw in [[Poland national football team|Poland]] from the first four matches; however, things started to go wrong with a 2–1 defeat in [[Kazakhstan national football team|Kazakhstan]] in March 2007, and the nation eventually trailed Poland and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in Group A, with the manager questioning the side's mental approach in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2007&mm=10&dd=14&nav_id=267788|title=Klemente: "Problem je u glavi"|trans-title=The problem is in the head|publisher=[[B92]]|language=sr|date=14 October 2007|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref>
 
Following the failure to qualify, Clemente was released from his contract on 6 December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7bac205950-45e6e8fd5f4e-1000--end-of-the-road-for-clemente/|title=End of the road for Clemente|publisher=UEFA|first=Aleksandar|last=Bošković|date=6 December 2007|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

===Cameroon and return to Spain===
On 17 August 2010, following spells in his country with [[Real Murcia CF]] (top tier and [[Segunda División]])<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/murcia/es/desarrollo/1097768.html|title=El Murcia ficha a Javier Clemente como nuevo entrenador|trans-title=Murcia sign Javier Clemente as new manager|newspaper=Marca|first=Juanmi|last=Hernández|language=es|date=6 March 2008|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> and [[Real Valladolid]] (eight games in charge, [[2009–10 La Liga|top-flight relegation]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elnortedecastilla.es/20100406/deportes/futbol/javier-clemente-nuevo-entrenador-201004061148.html|title=Javier Clemente, entrenador del Real Valladolid|trans-title=Javier Clemente, Real Valladolid manager|newspaper=[[El Norte de Castilla]]|language=es|date=6 April 2010|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> Clemente was named as the new coach of [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]], taking over from [[Paul Le Guen]] who stepped down after three losses in as many games in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8922265.stm|title=Former Spain coach Clemente takes over Cameroon job|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=17 August 2010|access-date=17 August 2010}}</ref> He made his debut with the ''Lions Indomptables'' on 4 September in a 3–1 away win against [[Mauritius national football team|Mauritius]] in the first match of the [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations]] [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|qualifiers]]. However, the nation finished second behind [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]] and thus failed to reach the finals in [[Gabon]] and [[Equatorial Guinea]], and he was dismissed on 25 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15450078.stm|title=Cameroon sack coach Javier Clemente|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 October 2011|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/2011/10/26/camerun-destituye-a-clemente-como-tecnico-en-su-enesimo-fracaso-en-el-banquillo-86572/|title=Camerún destituye a Clemente como técnico en su enésimo fracaso en el banquillo|trans-title=Cameroon dismiss Clemente as coach in his umpteenth failure on the bench|newspaper=[[El Confidencial]]|first=Rubén|last=Rodríguez|language=es|date=26 October 2011|access-date=13 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122173621/http://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/2011/10/26/camerun-destituye-a-clemente-como-tecnico-en-su-enesimo-fracaso-en-el-banquillo-86572/|archive-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>

On 13 February 2012, Clemente signed as the new manager of [[Sporting de Gijón]], with a contract running until the end of [[2011–12 La Liga|the season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realsporting.com/wrsg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=936:javi-clemente-nuevo-entrenador-rojiblanco-&catid=36:actualidad&Itemid=186|title=Javi Clemente, nuevo entrenador rojiblanco|trans-title=Javi Clemente, new red-and-white coach|publisher=Sporting Gijón|language=es|date=13 February 2012|access-date=13 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329140251/http://www.realsporting.com/wrsg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=936%3Ajavi-clemente-nuevo-entrenador-rojiblanco-&catid=36%3Aactualidad&Itemid=186|archive-date=29 March 2012}}</ref> He left the [[Asturias|Asturians]] in May, following their relegation;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realsporting.com/wrsg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1350:javier-clemente-concluye-como-entrenador-del-sporting-al-que-sustituira-manolo-sanchez&catid=36:actualidad&Itemid=186|title=Javier Clemente concluye su relación con el Sporting; le sustituye Manolo Sánchez|trans-title=Javier Clemente concludes relationship with Sporting; Manolo Sánchez replaces him|publisher=Sporting Gijón|language=es|date=17 May 2012|access-date=13 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521131147/http://www.realsporting.com/wrsg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1350:javier-clemente-concluye-como-entrenador-del-sporting-al-que-sustituira-manolo-sanchez&catid=36:actualidad&Itemid=186|archive-date=21 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in the process he celebrated his 500th game in the Spanish first division, a 2–1 away loss to [[Granada CF]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.es/20120317/deportes-futbol/abci-entrenadores-partidos-liga-201203171946.html|title=Clemente llega a 500 partidos en Primera|trans-title=Clemente reaches 500 games in ''Primera''|newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]|language=es|date=2 April 2012|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>

===Libya===
On 20 September 2013, Clemente was named manager of [[Libya national football team|Libya]], taking over from [[Abdul-Hafeedh Arbeesh]] who was fired after a 1–0 defeat to Cameroon for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2014 World Cup qualifying campaign]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/10/08/javier-clemente-takes-up-post-as-libyan-football-coach/#axzz2l7d7FX15|title=Javier Clemente takes up post as Libyan football coach|newspaper=[[Libya Herald]]|date=8 October 2013|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> He led the nation to its first silverware, the [[2014 African Nations Championship]], with a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] win over [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] in the final in [[Cape Town]].<ref name=First>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2014/02/01/futbol/futbol_internacional/1391294072.html|title=Clemente conduce a Libia al primer título de su historia|trans-title=Clemente leads Libya to the first title in their history|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=1 February 2014|access-date=4 March 2017}}</ref> Later that year, the team withdrew from their hosting duty for the [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations]] due to [[Libyan Civil War (2014–present)|civil war]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/african-nations-cup/story/1999904/libya-withdraw-as-2017-african-cup-hosts|title=Libya withdraw as 2017 Cup hosts|publisher=[[ESPN FC]]|date=23 August 2014|access-date=4 March 2017}}</ref>

Clemente was sacked by the ''Mediterranean Knights'' in October 2016, having won only three of 14 matches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/10/09/57fa624dca4741157f8b4656.html|title=Libia rompe con Javier Clemente|trans-title=Libya part with Javier Clemente|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=9 October 2016|access-date=4 March 2017}}</ref>

===Basque Country===
On 6 March 2019, Clemente was appointed as manager for the [[Non-FIFA international football|unofficial national team]] of the [[Basque Country national football team|Basque Country]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Javier-clemente-nouveau-selectionneur-du-pays-basque/995616|title=Javier Clemente nouveau sélectionneur du Pays basque|trans-title=Javier Clemente new Basque Country national team manager|newspaper=[[L'Équipe]]|language=fr|date=6 March 2019|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-sociedad/20190305/46869830817/javier-clemente-sera-el-nuevo-seleccionador-vasco.html?facet=amp|title=Clemente, nuevo seleccionador de la Euskal Selekzioa|trans-title=Clemente, new coach of the Euskal Selekzioa|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=6 March 2019|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> At his presentation, he spoke of plans to invite [[List of Basque footballers#Basque heritage|players with Basque heritage]] to play for the team, in line with the [[grandfather rule]] used by FIFA national teams.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.deia.eus/2019/03/07/deportes/futbol/javier-clemente-posiblemente-euskadi-sea-mi-ultimo-equipo.amp|title=Clemente propondrá que en la Selección Vasca jueguen descendientes de vascos que emigraron a Sudamérica|trans-title=Clemente will propose that the Basque National Team play descendants of Basques who emigrated to South America|newspaper=Deia|language=es|date=7 March 2019|access-date=7 June 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183911/https://m.deia.eus/2019/03/07/deportes/futbol/javier-clemente-posiblemente-euskadi-sea-mi-ultimo-equipo.amp|archive-date=27 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euskalkultura.com/english/news/clemente-is-the-euskal-selekzioas-new-coach-and-is-in-favor-of-including-players-from-the-diaspora-listen-to-his-interview|title=Clemente is the Euskal Selekzioa's new coach and is in favor of including players from the Diaspora (listen to his interview)|publisher=Euskal Kultura|date=8 March 2019|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-javier-clemente-medita-convocar-marco-asensio-euskadi-201903071802_noticia_amp.html|title=Javier Clemente medita convocar a Marco Asensio con Euskadi|trans-title=Javier Clemente meditates to summon Marco Asensio with Euskadi|newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]|language=es|date=8 March 2019|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>

===Return to Libya===
Clemente was re-appointed as head coach of Libya in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://libyareview.com/13200/javier-clemente-libyan-national-football-teams-new-coach/|title=Javier Clemente: Libyan national football team's new coach|publisher=Libya Review|date=22 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eldesmarque.com/bizkaia/athletic-club/noticias/289093-javier-clemente-necesito-entrenar-es-como-un-doping-para-mi|title=Javier Clemente vuelve: "Necesito entrenar, es como un doping para mi"|trans-title=Javier Clemente returns: "I need to coach, it's like doping for me"|publisher=El Desmarque|first=Asís|last=Martín|language=es|date=30 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref> After failing to qualify for the [[2021 FIFA Arab Cup]] and the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 World Cup]], his one-year contract was allowed to expire, with compatriot [[Ramón Catalá]] seeing out the final weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2022/02/24/internacional/1645659028_503499.html|title=Libia no renovará el contrato de Javier Clemente|trans-title=Libya will not renew Javier Clemente's contract|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=24 February 2022|access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2022/03/23/migrantes_del_balon/1648043842_405932.html|title=Los otros 'Luis Enriques'|trans-title=The other 'Luis Enriques'|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Martín|last=Manchón|language=es|date=23 March 2022|access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref>

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|29 March 2022}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"				
|-
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |Nat
! rowspan="2" |Year
! colspan="9" |Record					
|-
!P!!W!!D!!L!!Win %
|-
| align="left" |[[Arenas Club de Getxo|Arenas Getxo]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1975–1976
{{WDL|38|20|9|9}}					
|-
| align="left" |[[CD Basconia|Basconia]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1976–1978
{{WDL|76|26|11|39}}					
|-
| align="left" |[[Bilbao Athletic]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1979–1981
{{WDL|76|30|21|25}}				
|-
| align="left" |[[Athletic Bilbao]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1981-82|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1982-83|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1983-84|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1984-85|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1985-86|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1981–1986
{{WDL|213|117|44|52}}	
|-	
| align="left" |[[RCD Espanyol|Español]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1986-87|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1987-88|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1988-89|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1986–1989
{{WDL|124|41|27|56}}		
|-	
| align="left" | [[Atlético Madrid]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1989-90|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1989–1990
{{WDL|32|15|8|9}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Athletic Bilbao]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=1990-91|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1990–1991	
{{WDL|31|11|3|17}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[RCD Espanyol|Español]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1992
{{WDL|22|10|4|8}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Spain national under-21 football team|Spain U21]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1992–1996
{{WDL|12|4|4|4}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Spain national football team|Spain]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1992–1998
{{WDL|62|36|20|6}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Real Betis|Betis]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1998–1999
{{WDL|36|15|15|6}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Real Sociedad]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 1999–2000
{{WDL|37|10|13|14}}	
|-		
| align="left" | [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
|{{flagicon|France}}
| 2000–2001
{{WDL|27|8|5|14}}	
|-		
| align="left" | [[CD Tenerife|Tenerife]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=2001-02|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2002
{{WDL|12|4|2|6}}	
|-			
| align="left" | [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2002–2003
{{WDL|35|9|14|12}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Athletic Bilbao]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=2005-06|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2005–2006
{{WDL|31|11|3|17}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]]
|{{flagicon|Serbia}}
| 2006–2007
{{WDL|16|7|7|2}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Real Murcia CF|Murcia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=2007-08|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=2008-09|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2008
{{WDL|31|6|6|19}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Real Valladolid|Valladolid]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=2009-10|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2010
{{WDL|8|3|3|2}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
|{{flagicon|Cameroon}}
| 2010–2011
{{WDL|8|4|3|1}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Sporting de Gijón|Sporting Gijón]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l6011.html?temp=2011-12|title=Clemente: Javier Clemente Lázaro|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2012
{{WDL|16|5|3|8}}	
|-	
| align="left" | [[Libya national football team|Libya]]
|{{flagicon|Libya}}
| 2013–2016
{{WDL|13|3|6|4}}		
|-
| align="left" | [[Basque Country national football team|Basque Country]]
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| 2019–2021
{{WDL|2|1|1|0}}		
|-
| align="left" | [[Libya national football team|Libya]]
|{{flagicon|Libya}}
| 2021–2022
{{WDL|11|4|1|6}}		
|-
! colspan=3 | Career total
{{WDLtot|969|400|233|336}}		
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
[[File:Javi Clemente futbolista.png|thumb|Clemente playing for Athletic Bilbao in 1970]]
'''Athletic Bilbao'''
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[1969 Copa del Generalísimo|1969]]<ref name=COPA/>

===Manager===
'''Athletic Bilbao'''
*[[La Liga]]: [[1982–83 La Liga|1982–83]], [[1983–84 La Liga|1983–84]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/01/sports/soccer-excoach-returns-to-save-athletic-bilbao.html|title=Soccer: Ex-coach returns to save Athletic Bilbao|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=1 November 2005|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref>
*Copa del Rey: [[1983–84 Copa del Rey|1983–84]];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larazon.es/deportes/javier-clemente-enfado-maradona-hubo-lena_20240405660f77e617c56e0001498f7b.html|title=Javier Clemente: «Se enfadó Maradona y hubo leña»|trans-title=Javier Clemente: "Maradona got mad and fists flew"|newspaper=[[La Razón (Madrid)|La Razón]]|first=Domingo|last=García|language=es|date=5 April 2024|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref> runner-up: [[1984–85 Copa del Rey|1984–85]]
*[[Supercopa de España]]: 1984

'''Spain U21'''
*[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]] runner-up: [[1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|1996]]

'''Libya'''
*[[African Nations Championship]]: [[2014 African Nations Championship|2014]]<ref name=First/>

'''Individual'''
*[[Don Balón Award]]: 1982–83, 1983–84, [[1986–87 La Liga|1986–87]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html|title=Spain – Footballer of the Year|publisher=[[RSSSF]]|first=Emilio|last=Pla Díaz|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{BDFutbol|6011}}
*{{BDFutbol manager|6011}}
*{{Athletic Bilbao profile|id=181/clemente}}
*[http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/history-coaches/31/javier-clemente.html Athletic Bilbao manager profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930081358/https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/history-coaches/31/javier-clemente.html|date=30 September 2018}}
*{{cite web|url=http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_seleccionador.asp?j=5327|title=National team coach data|language=es|access-date=23 July 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223145046/http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_seleccionador.asp?j=5327|archive-date=23 December 2009|df=dmy-all}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Spain squads
|bg=#db000d
|fg=#fbea0e
|list1=
{{Spain squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
{{Spain squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}
{{Spain squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Managerial positions
|list1=
{{Arenas Club de Getxo managers}}
{{Bilbao Athletic managers}}
{{Athletic Bilbao managers}}
{{RCD Espanyol managers}}
{{Atlético Madrid managers}}
{{Real Betis managers}}
{{Real Sociedad managers}}
{{CD Tenerife managers}}
{{Real Murcia managers}}
{{Real Valladolid managers}}
{{Sporting de Gijón managers}}
{{Olympique de Marseille managers}}
{{Spain national football team managers}}
{{Serbia national football team managers}}
{{Cameroon national football team managers}}
{{Libya national football team managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| fg = Black
| bordercolor = Black
| list1 = 
{{La Liga winning managers}}
{{Copa del Rey winning managers}}
{{La Liga Coach of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clemente, Javier}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Spanish sportsmen]]
[[Category:Spanish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Barakaldo]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Tercera División players]]
[[Category:Athletic Bilbao footballers]]
[[Category:Athletic Bilbao B footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's under-23 international footballers]]
[[Category:Spanish football managers]]
[[Category:La Liga managers]]
[[Category:Segunda División managers]]
[[Category:Segunda División B managers]]
[[Category:Tercera División managers]]
[[Category:Arenas Club de Getxo managers]]
[[Category:CD Basconia managers]]
[[Category:Athletic Bilbao B managers]]
[[Category:Athletic Bilbao managers]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol managers]]
[[Category:Atlético Madrid managers]]
[[Category:Real Betis managers]]
[[Category:Real Sociedad managers]]
[[Category:CD Tenerife managers]]
[[Category:Real Murcia CF managers]]
[[Category:Real Valladolid managers]]
[[Category:Sporting de Gijón managers]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 managers]]
[[Category:Olympique de Marseille managers]]
[[Category:Spain national football team managers]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup managers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 managers]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup managers]]
[[Category:Serbia national football team managers]]
[[Category:Cameroon national football team managers]]
[[Category:Libya national football team managers]]
[[Category:Olympic coaches for Spain]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Serbia]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Cameroon]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Libya]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Serbia]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Cameroon]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Libya]]