Miguel Llera

Miguel Ángel Llera Garzón (born 7 August 1979) is a Spanish football manager and former professional player who played as a centre back. He is an academy manager for English club Walsall.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Llera and the second or maternal family name is Garzón.

Miguel Llera
Llera playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2012
Personal information
Full name Miguel Ángel Llera Garzón
Date of birth (1979-08-07) 7 August 1979
Place of birth Castilleja de la Cuesta, Spain
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Walsall (academy manager)
Youth career
Recreativo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 Recreativo B
2000–2001 → San Fernando (loan) 19 (0)
2001–2005 Alicante 102 (4)
2005–2007 Gimnàstic 39 (5)
2007–2008 Hércules 11 (1)
2008–2009 Milton Keynes Dons 36 (2)
2009–2011 Charlton Athletic 41 (6)
2011–2012 Blackpool 0 (0)
2011 → Brentford (loan) 11 (0)
2011–2012 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 4 (0)
2012–2014 Sheffield Wednesday 79 (10)
2014–2015 Scunthorpe United 15 (1)
Total 357 (29)
Teams managed
2015–2016 Sheffield FC (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He played mostly in the lower leagues of his country, appearing in only 12 La Liga games with Gimnàstic. He moved to England in 2008 after signing with Milton Keynes Dons, going on to remain in the country until his retirement and represent a host of clubs, mainly Sheffield Wednesday (three years) and Charlton Athletic (two).

Playing career

Spain

Llera was born in Castilleja de la Cuesta, Province of Seville. After unsuccessfully emerging through local Recreativo de Huelva's youth ranks, he represented several modest clubs until 2005–06, when he contributed with 27 games (scoring three times) to Gimnàstic de Tarragona's[1] return to La Liga after a 56-year absence;[2] midway through the following season, however, he was released from contract after appearing in 12 matches (all starts) for the Catalans and scoring in defeats against Real Sociedad (2–3, away)[3] and Getafe CF (1–3, home),[4] as Nàstic were immediately relegated.

In 2007–08 Llera continued in Segunda División, but also failed to impress at Hércules CF, playing only 11 games out of a possible 42.

Milton Keynes Dons

Subsequently, Llera took his game to England, joining League One side Milton Keynes Dons in September 2008.[5]

He scored twice during his spell with the Dons, against Carlisle United[6] and Brighton & Hove Albion.[7]

Charlton

After a successful season, with a third-place finish straight out of Football League Two, albeit without eventual promotion, Llera signed for Charlton Athletic on 2 July 2009,[8] after turning down a new contract offer – he became the first Spanish footballer to play for the club.[9][10]

Llera quickly established himself as a fans' favourite after just four matches, scoring on his debut against Wycombe Wanderers[11] but also picking up a head injury which led him to wear a helmet for the next fixtures, similar to that of Chelsea's Petr Čech; he scored his first goal for the Addicks on 22 August 2009, in a 2–0 home win against Walsall.[12]

Blackpool

After leaving Charlton at the end of the 2010–11 season, Llera spent some time training with Blackpool and joined them on trial, making his debut against Rangers on 19 July 2011. On 2 August, he scored from a free kick against Lancaster City in a 1–3 defeat, and, two days later, he signed a one-year contract with the option of a further year.[13]

Brentford / S. Wednesday

On 7 September 2011, Llera transferred to Brentford on a three-month loan deal.[14] On 22 November he moved to Sheffield Wednesday, in a loan agreement lasting until January 2012.[15]

On 10 January 2012, Llera was signed on a permanent deal by Wednesday, having been released by Blackpool.[16][17] On 11 February, in a game against Exeter City, he suffered a head injury in an eventual 1–2 away loss,[18] going on to miss approximately one month of action.

Scunthorpe

After impressing on trial, on 21 July 2014 Llera was offered a contract by Oldham Athletic, which was later withdrawn.[19] He eventually moved to League One's Scunthorpe United late in the month, agreeing to a one-year deal also after a trial period.

Llera made his competitive debut on 9 August 2014, in a 1–3 defeat at Swindon Town.[20] His first appearance at Glanford Park took place the following weekend, and he scored a 39th minute own goal in 0–4 loss to Preston North End.[21]

Llera netted his first and only goal for the Iron on 13 December 2014, contributing to a 2–1 home win over Crewe Alexandra.[22] On 5 May of the following year, it was announced he would not be offered a new contract and was free to leave the club.[23]

Coaching career

S. Wednesday / Chesterfield

In July 2014, Llera began coaching the under-14 squad of Sheffield Wednesday.[24] In summer 2015, he started working as a first-team scout.[25]

In January 2016, Llera launched his own academy, Miguel Llera International Football Academy, occasionally sending young players for trials at Wednesday.[26] In August 2017, he was appointed Professional Development Phase coach at Chesterfield.[27][28]

On 11 January 2019, Llera left the Proact Stadium by mutual consent.[29][30]

Sheffield FC / Hallam University

Starting in July 2015 and with the duration of one year, Llera was part of the staff at Sheffield FC, acting as assistant manager as well as being responsible for subjects concerning the academy.[31] In September 2015, he became the club's scholarship football coach and also second and third team manager at Sheffield Hallam University;[32] in addition, he held the same position at Meadowhead School Academy Trust.[33]

Llera left all of these roles in September 2016.[34]

Walsall

A qualified personal trainer who owned a master's degree in sport psychology and coaching, Llera subsequently worked as a primary and secondary physical education fitness coach. On 12 July 2019, he was hired as academy manager at Walsall.[35]

Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
San Fernando (loan) 2000–01[36] Segunda División B 190——190
Alicante 2001–02[36] Segunda División B 27210—282
2002–03[36] Segunda División B 33160—391
2003–04[36] Segunda División B 27110—281
2004–05[36] Segunda División B 150101[lower-alpha 1]1171
Total 102490111125
Gimnàstic 2005–06[36] Segunda División 27330—303
2006–07[36] La Liga 12200—122
Total 39530—425
Hércules 2007–08[36] Segunda División 11141—152
Milton Keynes Dons 2008–09[37] League One 362101[lower-alpha 2]0382
Charlton Athletic 2009–10[37] League One 264001[lower-alpha 2]0274
2010–11[37] League One 152201[lower-alpha 2]0182
Total 4162020456
Blackpool 2011–12[37] Championship 0010—10
Brentford (loan) 2011–12[37] League One 111102[lower-alpha 2]0141
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2011–12[37] League One 40000040
Sheffield Wednesday 2011–12[37] League One 1640000164
2012–13[37] Championship 41650—466
2013–14[37] Championship 22031—251
Total 831081009111
Scunthorpe United 2014–15[37] League One 151602[lower-alpha 2]0231
Career total 321283528136431
  1. Appearance in Promotion Play-offs
  2. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

Honours

Club

Alicante

Sheffield Wednesday

Individual

References
  1. "El club espera descarte de Primera tras fichar a Merino y Pérez" [Club awaits release from Primera after signing Merino and Pérez]. La Nación (in Spanish). 19 July 2005. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  2. Candal, Adrián (5 June 2006). "El sueño de Luís César" [Luís César's dream]. Diario Siglo XXI (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  3. Real Sociedad 3–2 Gimnastic de Tarragona; ESPN Soccernet, 17 December 2006
  4. Gimnastic de Tarragona 1–3 Getafe; ESPN Soccernet, 14 January 2007
  5. "MK Dons bring in defender Llera". BBC Sport. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  6. "MK Dons 3–1 Carlisle". BBC Sport. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  7. "Brighton 2–4 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  8. Estepa, Javier (10 June 2009). "Miguel Ángel Llera ficha por el Charlton" [Miguel Ángel Llera signs with Charlton]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  9. Chard, James (27 May 2009). "Llera to leave as talks break down". MK Citizen. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  10. "Charlton recruit defender Llera". BBC Sport. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  11. "Charlton 3–2 Wycombe". BBC Sport. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  12. "Charlton 2–0 Walsall". BBC Sport. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  13. "Liera completes Blackpool move". Blackpool F.C. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  14. Brentford sign Blair Adams and Miguel Llera on loan; BBC Sport, 8 September 2011
  15. "Llera loaned to Owls". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  16. "Owls land Llera". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  17. Sheffield Wednesday sign Miguel Llera from Blackpool; BBC Sport, 10 January 2012
  18. "Exeter 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Match Report". Sheffield Star. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  19. "Offer: Miguel Llera". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  20. "Swindon Town 3–1 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  21. "Scunthorpe United 0–4 Preston North End". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  22. "Scunthorpe United 2–1 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  23. "Iron announce retained list". Scunthorpe United F.C. 5 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  24. "Llera lands academy role". Chesterfield F.C. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  25. Howson, Dom (18 December 2015). "Feature: Old boy poised to launch academy". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  26. Howson, Dom (20 June 2016). "Sheffield Wednesday: Former Owl Miguel Llera and the next generation". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  27. "Llera: "We have a solid base."". Chesterfield F.C. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  28. "Who's Who at the Proact". Chesterfield F.C. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  29. "Coach Llera leaves the club". Chesterfield F.C. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  30. "Ex Sheffield Wednesdsay man Miguel Llera leaves his role as Chesterfield academy coach". Derbyshire Times. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  31. "SFC University partnership trials kick off". Sheffield F.C. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  32. "Time to start thinking about scholarship opportunities". Sheffield F.C. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  33. "Coaches impressed with Meadowhead scholars". Sheffield F.C. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  34. "Miguel Ángel Llera Garzón". LinkedIn. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  35. Briggs, Daniel (12 July 2019). "Miguel Llera appointed Saddlers' new academy manager!". Walsall F.C. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  36. "Llera: Miguel Ángel Llera Garzón". BDFutbol. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  37. "Miguel Llera". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  38. "Wednesday land awards double". Sky Sports. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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