After an unassuming career (the central defender never played in La Liga and appeared in only 15 Segunda División games) he took up coaching in 1982, first with Cádiz CF in his adopted city.
Vidal began with the Andalusians' youth sides, then moved to assistant manager, being finally appointed head coach for the 1988–89 season after a brief interim spell in 1987.
[1] After two and a half additional years in the top flight with modest CD Logroñés, who always retained their status, Vidal resumed his career mainly in the second tier.
[2] On 12 October 2008, as a draw at RC Celta de Vigo meant Elche only managed two points from seven matches, the manager was dismissed after a meeting with the board of directors; his assistant, former Spain and Deportivo de La Coruña player Claudio Barragán, was temporarily placed in charge of the team.
[3] On 17 March 2010, Albacete Balompié announced that Vidal would replace Julián Rubio as manager until the end of the campaign.