Curro Torres

Spanish footballer and manager (born 1976)

Cristóbal Emilio "Curro" Torres Ruiz (born 27 December 1976) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right back, currently manager of Estonian club FCI Levadia Tallinn. In his professional career, whose later years were blighted by several injuries, he represented mainly Valencia, helping the team to two La Liga championships (playing 119 matches at that level over eight seasons and scoring once) and the 2004 UEFA Cup. He appeared for Spain at the 2002 World Cup. Torres started working as a manager in 2014, spending three years at Valencia B. He also led three teams in the Segunda División and worked in the top leagues of Croatia and Estonia.

Torres was born in Ahlen, North Rhine Westphalia, West Germany. His parents hailed from Granada, and emigrated to Germany for employment. When their son was still an infant they moved back to Spain, settling in Catalonia.

Torres began his career with UDA Gramenet before joining Valencia CF in 1997. He was a regular with the B team for two seasons, being loaned out to Recreativo de Huelva and CD Tenerife the next two years. In the latter, alongside Mista and Luis García, he was a key member of the Canary Islands club – coached by Rafael Benítez– that won promotion to La Liga. Torres then returned to Valencia, where he proceeded to become a key member in the sides that won the national league twice and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, again under Benítez. From early 2005 onwards, however, he would be severely hindered by injuries, although he appeared in 17 games in the 2006–07 campaign, mainly as a left back due to Emiliano Moretti's forced absence. For 2007–08, Torres was loaned to top flight newcomers Real Murcia, where his physical problems resurfaced (two league appearances). Upon their relegation he returned to Valencia, being restricted to two UEFA Cup matches during the season, with even midfielder Hedwiges Maduro being preferred as Miguel's backup; he left the Che in June 2009. On 27 July 2009, Torres moved to Gimnàstic de Tarragona of Segunda División, playing no minutes whatsoever in the season (league or cup) as Nàstic finished in 18th position. In January of the following year, after the loan acquisitions of Borja Viguera and Álex Bergantiños by the club, the 34 year old's contract was cancelled.

Courtesy of solid performances whilst at Valencia, Torres made his debut for Spain on 14 November 2001 in a friendly with Mexico in Huelva (1–0 win), and was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, where he appeared against South Africa in the group stage.

On 7 April 2014, Torres returned to Valencia after nearly five years, being appointed manager of the reserves in the Segunda División B. In 2017 he took them to the final round of the play offs, being knocked out by Albacete Balompié. On 2 July 2017, Torres was named Lorca FC manager. On 17 December, with the side in the relegation zone, he was sacked. Torres was appointed at NK Istra 1961 from the Croatian First Football League on 20 September 2018, but left the club after only one month in charge. On 19 November he replaced the fired José Ramón Sandoval at the helm of Córdoba CF, and was dismissed on 25 February 2019 having earned fewer points (ten) than any other second division team during that period. On 27 December 2019, Torres was named manager of second tier CD Lugo after the sacking of Eloy Jiménez. He was himself relieved of his duties six months later, with the team second bottom. Torres replaced the sacked Ramón González at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in the new Primera Federación on 12 December 2021. Having missed the playoffs in 12th, his contract was not renewed past June. On 11 November 2022, Torres signed a two year deal at FCI Levadia Tallinn of the Estonian Meistriliiga. On his debut the following 5 March, the season began with a goalless home draw against Pärnu JK Vaprus.