Former Liverpool goalkeeping coach Jose Manuel Ochotorena has passed away at the age of 64, it was confirmed on Monday morning.
The Spaniard was brought to Anfield by Rafa Benitez after his managerial appointment in the summer of 2004 and formed part of the backroom team that secured the Champions League and the FA Cup in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
The former Spain international spent three years on Merseyside working alongside Benitez before leaving in 2007.
His death was confirmed by former club Valencia on Monday morning, whilst Real Madrid, another side the shot-stopper represented, also released their own tribute statement.
Valencia said: “Valencia CF regrets with deep sadness and regret the death of Jose Manuel Ochotorena, goalkeeper coach, former player and legend of the Club, at the age of 64.
“The club wishes to convey its condolences to his family and friends and joins them in these moments of enormous pain.
“Ochotorena stood out as a true benchmark in the preparation of goalkeepers and until 2021 he combined his work at Valencia CF with the senior Spanish national team, actively participating in the main achievements of its history such as the conquest of EURO 2008, 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.”
Real Madrid said: “Real Madrid C.F, its president and Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the death of José Manuel Ochotorena, one of our club’s legendary goalkeepers.
“Real Madrid extends its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates and all his loved ones, as well as to all clubs where he played. Ochotorena wore the Real Madrid jersey for 6 seasons, from 1982 until 1988, during which time he won 2 UEFA Cups, 3 LaLiga titles and 1 Copa de la Liga.
“As well as his time at Real Madrid, he played for Valencia, Tenerife, Logrones and Racing de Santander. While at Valencia, he won the Zamora Trophy in the 1989-1990 campaign. He was also part of the Spanish National Team at the Italia 1990 World Cup.
“Ochotorena later enjoyed a successful spell as a goalkeeper coach, at clubs including Valencia and Liverpool, as well as for the Spanish National Team (2004-2021), when he won 1 World Cup and 2 European Cups.”
Liverpool shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili disclosed following his summer switch to the Reds from Valencia that Ochotorena had contacted him to offer guidance regarding the transfer to Merseyside, with the Georgian revealing the coach was the first person he turned to when Premier League champions’ interest emerged.
“Ochotorena is an amazing person and an amazing coach,” Mamardashvili said in July. “Actually, he was one of the first who I talked to about Liverpool’s offer and he directly told me, ‘Just sign the contract’, because he knows how big a club Liverpool is, and I just want to tell him thank you.”