Ariel Miguel Santiago Ibagaza (born 27 October 1976) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player. Nicknamed El Caño, his usual position was attacking midfielder, and he was well known for his technique and vision.

Ariel Ibagaza
Personal information
Full name Ariel Miguel Santiago Ibagaza
Date of birth (1976-10-27) 27 October 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1998 Lanús 97 (10)
1998–2003 Mallorca 143 (19)
2003–2006 Atlético Madrid 85 (5)
2006–2008 Mallorca 61 (6)
2008–2010 Villarreal 54 (3)
2010–2014 Olympiacos 72 (1)
2014–2015 Panionios 23 (0)
Total 535 (44)
International career
1995 Argentina U20 6 (1)
2004 Argentina 1 (0)
Managerial career
2016–2017 Olympiacos (assistant)
2017 Olympiacos (assistant)
2017–2018 Olympiacos U20 (assistant)
2018 Olympiacos (assistant)
2021–2022 Olympiacos B[1]
2023–2024 Olympiacos B
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent the vast majority of his professional career in Spain – where he represented mainly Mallorca – and amassing La Liga totals of 343 matches and 33 goals over 12 seasons.[2]

Playing career

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Ibagaza in action for Olympiacos in 2011

Born in Buenos Aires, Ibagaza began his professional career with Club Atlético Lanús, and moved in July 1998 to RCD Mallorca in Spain alongside teammate Gustavo Siviero (another Argentine, Carlos Roa, had done the same move the previous season),[3] being part of the Balearic Islands side that finished third in his first year, narrowly missing on UEFA Champions League group stage entry.

In the 2000–01 campaign Ibagaza, best known for his playmaking decisions, scored a career-best ten goals, and continued to be an undisputed starter – and team captain – for Mallorca until his departure for Atlético Madrid, in July 2003. He renewed his contract in March 2006,[4] but found himself surplus to requirements at the start of 2006–07, and arranged a move back to Mallorca, being among the top assisters in the second season after the return.

Ibagaza signed a 1.5 million deal with Villarreal CF in early July 2008, for two seasons.[5] Two years later, after two irregular seasons, marred by some physical problems (even though he still managed to appear in more than 60 official games with the Valencian team), the 34-year-old moved to Olympiacos F.C. in Greece, agreeing to a two-year deal.[6]

Ibagaza scored his first official goal for the Piraeus club in a 1–0 away win against Asteras Tripoli FC, and went on to contribute with 24 matches (no goals) as his team won the national championship. He left in June 2014 after 97 competitive appearances and a further three domestic leagues and, on 20 August of that year, signed for one year with fellow league side Panionios FC.[7][8]

Managerial career

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Ibagaza managed Olympiacos B for season 2021–22 in Super League Greece 2.[9]

Honours

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Lanús

Mallorca

Olympiacos

Argentina U20

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Ολυμπιακός Β': Οριστικά με τον Ιμπαγάσα στο τιμόνι!". 11 June 2021.
  2. ^ Jugadores de ayer y de hoy: Ariel Ibagaza (Players of yesterday and today: Ariel Ibagaza) Archived 8 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine; RCDM, 4 February 2010 (in Spanish)
  3. ^ "Ibagaza y Siviero ya son bermellones" [Ibagaza and Siviero are already vermilions] (PDF). Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 28 June 1998. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. ^ Ibagaza makes Atlético commitment; UEFA, 17 March 2006
  5. ^ Ibagaza adds to Villarreal influx; UEFA, 7 July 2008
  6. ^ Villarreal's Ibagaza joins Olympiacos; UEFA, 12 July 2010
  7. ^ Τελικά Πανιώνιο… [Finally Panionios] (in Greek). In PAOK. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  8. ^ "El 'Caño' Ibagaza seguirá en Grecia, pero cambia de equipo" ['Cãno' Ibagaza will continue in Greece, but in a new team] (in Spanish). Fichajes. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Προπονητής στον Ολυμπιακό Β' ο Αριέλ Ιμπαγάσα".
  10. ^ "Eto'o pone Mallorca a brindar" [Eto'o has Mallorca toasting]. El País (in Spanish). 29 June 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  11. ^ "MVP ο Ιμπαγάσα, 3 βραβεία ο Σισέ". www.sport24.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Οι "Golden Eleven" του Θρύλου!". ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟΣ - Olympiacos.org (in Greek). 5 June 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
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