Manuel 'Manolo' Martínez Lara (born 15 June 1980) is a Spanish football coach and former player who played mainly as a defensive midfielder but also as a central defender.
Born in Bigastro, Alicante, Valencian Community, Martínez started his professional career with local Hércules CF, as a central defender.
[1] Martínez then moved to CD Tenerife,[2] where he reconverted into a defensive midfielder, greatly helping the club return to the top division in 2009 after a seven-year hiatus.
In the subsequent season he played more often than not in his secondary position – stopper – and his performances were overall poorer,[3] with the Canary Islands team being immediately relegated although it would only be certified in the last round against Valencia CF (0–1 away defeat).
[4] In July 2010, aged 30, Martínez did not renew his Tenerife contract and agreed a two-year deal with another club in Segunda División, Recreativo de Huelva.