Born in Paterna, Valencian Community, Subirats finished his youth career with local giants Valencia CF.
He made his La Liga debut on 29 January 1978 in a 2–1 away win against Cádiz CF, and finished his first season with eight first-team appearances (seven as a substitute).
For the 1978–79 campaign, Subirats was loaned to Girona FC in the Segunda División B, because he had to perform compulsory military service in the city.
In the 1996–97 season he had his first experience with the professionals, coaching Villarreal CF through 20 games before being sacked, totalling six wins, four draws and ten losses.
[6] Subirats then returned to Valencia as director of football, being in charge as the club won two leagues in the 2000s and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, under Rafael Benítez who was a personal bet of his.