| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Antonio Tapia Flores | ||
| Date of birth | (1959-11-13)13 November 1959 (age 66) | ||
| Place of birth | Baena, Spain | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Fuengirola | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Málaga B | |||
| Fuengirola | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1986–1989 | CD Mijas | ||
| 1989–1992 | Fuengirola | ||
| 1992–1994 | Los Boliches | ||
| 1997–2001 | Poli Ejido | ||
| 2002–2005 | Málaga B | ||
| 2005–2006 | Málaga | ||
| 2006–2007 | Poli Ejido | ||
| 2007–2008 | Granada 74 | ||
| 2008–2009 | Málaga | ||
| 2009–2010 | Betis | ||
| 2011 | Tenerife | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Antonio Tapia Flores (born 13 November 1959) is a Spanishfootballmanager.
Born inBaena,Córdoba, Tapia had an unassuming career as a footballer, only representingAtlético Malagueño and amateursUD Fuengirola. Still not in his 30s, he began a coaching career with another club inAndalusia, CD Mijas, continuing in the area (and the regional leagues) the following years, with Fuengirola andCD Los Boliches.
In 1994, Tapia joinedMálaga CF's coaching staff as assistant, staying there for two years before moving in the same capacity to neighbouringCádiz CF. He had his first spell as head manager withPolideportivo Ejido – still in Andalusia – in 1997, helping the side promote toSegunda División in2001, although he would be sacked 11 matches intothe following campaign due to bad results.[1]
Tapia returned to Málaga's reserves in 2002,attaining another second division promotion.[2] AfterGregorio Manzano's dismissal midway through the2004–05 season, he took the reins of the first team – inLa Liga[3]– being sacked in the same period of the following year and replaced bydirector of footballManolo Hierro,[4] in an eventual relegation.
For the following two years, Tapia had spells in the second level and his native region, with Ejido[5] and soon-to-be defunctGranada 74 CF,[6] withrelegation in the latter. He then returned to the top flight and Málaga – freshly promoted[7]– and almost led the team toqualification to theUEFA Europa League, afterfinishing eighth.[8]
After refusing a new deal in order to listen to other offers, Tapia would eventually leave his place toJuan Ramón López Muñiz (who returned fromRacing de Santander after just one year), signing withReal Betis of division two.[9] After a series of bad results, the last a 1–0 loss atLevante UD, he was sacked on 24 January 2010, only being in charge for six months.[10]
Exactly one year after his dismissal, Tapia was appointed atCD Tenerife, becoming theCanary Islands side's third manager in thesecond division season.[11] In late March, he too was relieved of his duties.[12]
Tapia returned to Málaga on 21 August 2012, joining the club's football directory as a sporting adviser.[13]