[2] Leaving the Colchoneros precisely before the team's double conquest in 1995–96, Abel closed out his career at the age of 36 after one season with Madrid neighbours Rayo Vallecano, helping them retain their top division status.

[1] In 2005 he started his head coaching career, with second division's Ciudad de Murcia, leading the side to a near-top level promotion after finishing fourth.

After taking charge midway through the campaign, replacing Juan Ramón López Caro, he helped the team avoid relegation and had his contract renewed;[6] seven games and six losses into the following season, however, he was sacked.

[7] After one and a half solid seasons in the second level with CD Castellón, Resino returned to Atlético, replacing released Javier Aguirre in February 2009 and helping the team to exactly the same place as the previous year, with the subsequent qualification to the UEFA Champions League, after which he agreed to an extension.

[12] On 18 February of the following year he returned to active and the top flight, taking the place of Paco Herrera at relegation-threatened side RC Celta de Vigo.