Arsenio Iglesias is remembered as the guiding force behind Hercules’ most celebrated era, a legend who steered the club with a blend of tactical acumen and inspiring leadership. His coaching tenure at Hercules stands out for elevating the team to new heights and helping establish its presence among Spain’s elite. His influence stretched beyond the dugout, as he also contributed to Elche during the 1979-80 season, guiding them through a challenging period and contributing to the club’s development. The 1970s marked a pivotal decade for Hercules, a time when promotion to Primera and sustained success began to crystallize the club’s identity as a national force. The era is remembered as the golden age that solidified the club’s long-term competitive footing. In the 1974-75 season, with José Rico Pérez overseeing the club and its presidency, Alicante’s team achieved its best-ever finish in the First Division by securing fifth place. Iglesias led Hercules for four full seasons, including three in the top flight and one in the Second Division where promotion was earned. His name remains synonymous with Hercules’ history and stands among the club’s greatest coaches.
Arsenio Iglesias passes away at 92
Born in La Coruña, Iglesias, affectionately nicknamed for his hometown, Arteixo’s “fox,” faced a long decline in health in his later years. His career began in earnest when he rose through Deportivo, later earning the King’s Cup with the team in 1995. Across his long tenure in football, he contributed as both player and coach to numerous clubs, and even spent time within the Real Madrid setup.
As a player, Iglesias competed in the First Division with Deportivo from 1952 to 1957, then had a stint with Sevilla in 1957-58, spent years at Granada between 1958 and 1964, and wore the Oviedo shirt from 1963 to 1965. His playing career tallied 238 top-flight appearances and another 63 between the Second Division and promotion campaigns.
In his coaching journey, from 1970 to 1973 he guided Deportivo to the First Division before a relegation to the Second Division. He then moved to Hércules in 1974, where he would coach for three additional seasons, helping the team to remain competitive in the top division and maintaining a strong presence until 1977. The path of his career also included notable periods at Zaragoza, Burgos, Elche, Almeria, and Real Madrid, with other chapters in A Coruña.
He later managed Deportivo in the Second Division from 1982 to 1985 and again from 1988 to 1991, achieving promotion to the First Division and returning to the bench soon after to lead the club as a head coach in the spring of his career.
Arsenio Iglesias, an emblematic figure at Hercules’ centennial
In 1994, Iglesias came close to a league title, narrowly missing it due to a famous penalty save, yet the following year the club secured its first Copa del Rey crown in its history. The triumph arrived in 1995, marking a landmark achievement for the team after a century of competition. Iglesias concluded his professional playing career at Real Madrid in the 1995-96 season, replacing the Argentine Jorge Valdano mid-season and later taking up coaching duties with the Galician side. In his later years, as health declined, he remained a beloved figure in Arteixo and was celebrated as a cherished son of La Coruña. The centennial year saw him named as Hercules ambassador, an honor that reflected his enduring legacy with the club and its fans.