Born in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz, Andalusia, Ríos began his managerial career at Atlético Sanluqueño CF's youth setup, club which he represented as a player.
On 6 June 2008, he was appointed at the helm of Tercera División's UD Almería B,[2] taking the club to the third level for the first time ever.
On 23 June 2009, Ríos was named manager of another reserve team, Recreativo de Huelva B also in the fourth division.
[5] On 22 June, however, he resigned,[6] and joined fellow league team FC Cartagena in December;[7] he left the latter in July 2012, after suffering relegation.
[9] He was relieved from his duties in June, with the club being relegated as dead last,[10] and moved to Atlético Sanluqueño;[11] he was sacked by the latter in January 2014.