He played ten seasons as a professional, mainly with his hometown club Real Betis and Barcelona-based RCD Español, six of those in La Liga.
After serious economic and personal problems – he was briefly a maintenance worker (kits, balls, etc.)
with lowly AD Ceuta, as well as being their assistant manager – he finished his bachelor's degree whilst working in a laundry, and eventually received his coaching licence; his first job was with amateurs CD Quintanar del Rey.
[3][4] After a few years working as director of football with Ceuta, Gabino once again returned to Betis, as a youth coordinator.
He too represented Betis (only the reserves), and spent most of his career with Videoton FC in Hungary.