Antonio Puche

Puche II

Personal information
Full name	Joje Antonio Puche Vicente
Date of birth	(1972-08-02) 2 August 1972
Place of birth	Yecla, Spain
Height
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
1981–1987	Yeclano
1987–1988	Elche
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1988–1990	Ilicitano
1988–1992	Elche	35	(5)
1992–1993	Valencia B	17	(5)
1993–1995	Palamós	61	(27)
1995–1996	Villarreal	18	(3)
1996–1997	Toledo	15	(1)
1997–1998	Jaén	31	(5)
1998–1999	Granada	22	(7)
1999–2000	Novelda	14	(2)
2000–2001	Pájara Playas	16	(0)
2002–2003	Frutas de Abarán
2003–2004	Linares
Total		229	(55)
International career
1988–1989	Spain U16	12	(6)
1990	Spain U20	1	(0)
Managerial career
2004–2005	Córdoba (youth)
2007–2008	Xerez B
2008–2009	Hércules (assistant)
2009	Racing Santander (assistant)
2010–2011	Tenerife (assistant)
2011–2012	Hércules (assistant)
2013	Al Yarmouk (assistant)
2014–2015	Al Qadsia
2016–	Anorthosis Famagusta
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Puche and the second or maternal family name is Vicente.

Antonio Puche Vicente (born 2 August 1972) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a forward.

Club career

Born in Yecla, Region of Murcia, Puche began his senior career with Elche CF, being almost exclusively associated with the reserves during his spell. He made his first-team debut at only 16, playing eight minutes in a 1–1 La Liga away draw against CA Osasuna; legendary László Kubala handed him his first opportunity with the professionals.

In the 1993 summer, after a spell with Valencia CF's B-team, Puche joined Palamós CF in Segunda División. He had a breakthrough year in his second season, scoring 21 goals to lead all players but being relegated due to the Catalan club's financial problems; on 9 April 1995 he netted six past CD Leganés – also eventually relegated – in a 7–1 home routing.

Puche continued competing in the second level in the following campaigns, with Villarreal CF, CD Toledo and Real Jaén. He retired in June 2004 at nearly 32 years of age, after several years in the lower leagues.

From 2005 to 2007 Puche worked as director of football at Cádiz CF. The following year he had his first senior experience in head coaching, with Tercera División's Xerez CD B, as well as also sharing directorial duties in the first team with former club player Antonio Poyatos.

In 2008–09 Puche was appointed assistant coach of Juan Carlos Mandiá in division two side Hércules CF. In the following years, the pair worked in several clubs.

Puche signed with Kuwaiti Premier League club Qadsia SC in 2014. He was sacked on 23 March of the following year, as the team went on to rank in fourth place.

International career

Puche posted good scoring numbers with the Spanish under-16 team. In an international tournament held in Genoa, he was named as best player.

Puche also played at under-20 level, being selected for the squad that appeared at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Saudi Arabia.

Personal life

Puche's older, brother, José (1968), was also a footballer. A midfielder, he coincided with his sibling at Elche and Palamós, and the pair was known as Puche I and Puche II.

Honours

Individual

• Pichichi Trophy (Segunda División): 1994–95

Manager

Al Qadsia

• AFC Cup: 2014
• Kuwait Super Cup: 2014

External links

• Antonio Puche profile at BDFutbol