years later. Fernando began managing already in his 50s, at CF Torre Levante in the Tercera División. He resigned in September 2016 with the team in eighth, calling the situation "unsustainable". The following July, he joined UD Alzira in the same league, and received a one-year extension in June 2018. A seven-game winless run ending with four straight defeats saw Fernando dismissed in November 2018. After a season at UD Benigànim, another local amateur side, he became sporting director at Castellón in June 2021. International career Fernando earned eight caps and scored two goals for Spain, making his international debut on 15 November 1989 in a 4–0 win against Hungary for the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, closing the score in Seville. He was subsequently selected for the squad that competed in the finals in Italy, where he made a substitute appearance in the 3–1 group stage victory over South Korea. Fernando had earlier represented the nation at youth level in the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship, finishing joint-top scorer with three goals en route to the final. Personal life Fernando's father was head of a university department, while his brothers became a law professor and a doctor, respectively. His sons followed him into football, but did not turn professional. For his studious background, he was nicknamed "El Catedrático" (The Professor). In April 2011, Fernando was recruited by the People's Party in Chiva, Valencia to run as number 3 on their list for the local elections. After serving one term as the councillor in charge of sports, he did not run for re-election in 2015. HonoursValenciaSegunda División: 1986–87 Copa del Rey runner-up: 1994–95Spain U20' FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 1985 See also List of La Liga players (400+ appearances) List of Valencia CF players (+100 appearances) References External links CiberChe biography and stats 1965 births Living people Spanish footballers Footballers from Valencia (city) Association football midfielders La Liga players Segunda División players Segunda División B players Valencia CF Mestalla footballers Valencia CF players CD Castellón footballers English Football League players Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players Spain youth international footballers Spain under-21 international footballers Spain international footballers 1990 FIFA World Cup players Spanish expatriate footballers Expatriate footballers in England Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England Spanish football managers Tercera División managers Valencia CF non-playing staff Spanish politicians People's Party (Spain) politicians City councillors in the province of Valencia Sportsperson-politicians