Francisco Copado
Encyclopedia
Francisco Copado Álvarez (born 19 July 1974 in Kiel
) is a retired Spanish
-German
footballer who played mainly as a forward.
immigrants
, Copado began his football career in Kiel
, initially at Eintracht Kiel and later with Holstein Kiel
, where he went through various youth ranks. For the 1992–93 season, he received a professional contract from Hamburger SV
, whose scouts had been keeping a close eye on the young offensive player.
From 1993–95, Copado played in three first division
matches, the first on 20 November 1993, playing 20 minutes in a 0–3 loss at 1. FC Kaiserslautern
. In 1995–96, he amassed a further ten, under Felix Magath
, before leaving the club in the winter transfer window.
Copado would move to Spain
, joining second division
team RCD Mallorca
in January 1996. In his first full season he contributed two goals in 30 games (his first in a 1–0 win at Real Madrid Castilla
), as Mallorca won promotion to La Liga
.
However, Copado would never play in Spain's top level, as he left in July 1997, joining lower league Tennis Borussia Berlin
. There, he played under Hermann Gerland
, the manager
mostly associated with the player's explosion. Copado ended the season with 12 goals as TeBe was unbeaten and became Regionalliga Nord
champions. In the second division
, he would only amass six goals from 1998–2000.
In 2000–01, SpVgg Unterhaching
(then in the first division) bought Copado, at the express petition of club manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner
. However, after a few games, the player failed to produce on the pitch (including training), while also gaining a reputation for excessive partying. Therefore, Copado was suspended for ten months due to disciplinary reasons. During this time, he was forced to train on his own, and only when Köstner was fired in 13 September 2001 (with the club previously having been relegated) did the situation clear. Rainer Adrion
took over the ruins and Copado was forgiven, but Unterhaching dropped another level.
Under Wolfgang Frank
, who made him club captain, Copado scored an incredible 58 league goals in three seasons (being instrumental in the side's return to the second level in 2003), operating as both forward and midfielder
.
Following stellar performances, Copado, at 31, returned to the Bundesliga for the third time in his career, joining Eintracht Frankfurt
on a three-year contract. He eventually broke into the first team after early difficulties, managing six goals during the season. In December 2005 he was even awarded the Player of the Month award. However, Copado only managed one goal in his 14 last appearances, losing the confidence of manager Friedhelm Funkel and subsequently being sold in the following transfer window (although he still appeared in the first match of 2006–07).
Copado joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in 30 August 2006, being a crucial offensive element in the club's rise from the third (Regionalliga Süd
) to the first level in just two seasons (14 goals in his first season, 10 in the second). He appeared sparingly during the season's first half, managing to score a penalty
in Hoffenheim's 3–0 home win over Arminia Bielefeld
, on 29 November 2008. On 16 December, he was released from contract, returning to former side Unterhaching and retiring on 31 March 2009, having played his last game the previous day.
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
) is a retired Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
-German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
footballer who played mainly as a forward.
Football career
The son of SpanishSpanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
immigrants
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, Copado began his football career in Kiel
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
, initially at Eintracht Kiel and later with Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel is a German association football and sports club based in the city of Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. Through the 1910s and 1920s the club was a dominant side in northern Germany winning six regional titles and finishing as runners-up another six times...
, where he went through various youth ranks. For the 1992–93 season, he received a professional contract from Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
, whose scouts had been keeping a close eye on the young offensive player.
From 1993–95, Copado played in three first division
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
matches, the first on 20 November 1993, playing 20 minutes in a 0–3 loss at 1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
. In 1995–96, he amassed a further ten, under Felix Magath
Felix Magath
Wolfgang-Felix Magath is a former German football central midfielder and current manager of VfL Wolfsburg.-Playing career:...
, before leaving the club in the winter transfer window.
Copado would move to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, joining second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
team RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
in January 1996. In his first full season he contributed two goals in 30 games (his first in a 1–0 win at Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in the Segunda División B. It is the reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium....
), as Mallorca won promotion to La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
.
However, Copado would never play in Spain's top level, as he left in July 1997, joining lower league Tennis Borussia Berlin
Tennis Borussia Berlin
Tennis Borussia Berlin is a German football club based in Berlin-Westend.- History :The team was founded in 1902 and takes its name from its origins as a tennis and ping-pong club. "Borussia" is a Latinised version of Prussia. In 1903 the club took up football and quickly developed a rivalry with...
. There, he played under Hermann Gerland
Hermann Gerland
Hermann Gerland is a German former football player and manager. He is currently the manager of the reserve team of the German Bundesliga side FC Bayern Munich.- Career :...
, the manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
mostly associated with the player's explosion. Copado ended the season with 12 goals as TeBe was unbeaten and became Regionalliga Nord
Regionalliga Nord
The Regionalliga Nord is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany...
champions. In the second division
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
, he would only amass six goals from 1998–2000.
In 2000–01, SpVgg Unterhaching
SpVgg Unterhaching
Spielvereinigung Unterhaching is a German sports club in Unterhaching, a semi-rural municipality on the southern outskirts of the Bavarian capital Munich....
(then in the first division) bought Copado, at the express petition of club manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner
Lorenz-Günther Köstner
Lorenz-Günther Köstner is a retired German footballer who is now a football manager. As of January 2009, he manages VfL Wolfsburg II. Following the sacking of Armin Veh on 25 January 2010, he was named interim manager of VfL Wolfsburg until June 30, 2010.-References:...
. However, after a few games, the player failed to produce on the pitch (including training), while also gaining a reputation for excessive partying. Therefore, Copado was suspended for ten months due to disciplinary reasons. During this time, he was forced to train on his own, and only when Köstner was fired in 13 September 2001 (with the club previously having been relegated) did the situation clear. Rainer Adrion
Rainer Adrion
Rainer Adrion is a German football manager and former defender, currently managing the Germany U-21 team.-Coaching career:...
took over the ruins and Copado was forgiven, but Unterhaching dropped another level.
Under Wolfgang Frank
Wolfgang Frank
Wolfgang Frank is a German football manager and former player.Frank made a total of 215 appearances in the Fußball-Bundesliga during his playing career, scoring 89 goals...
, who made him club captain, Copado scored an incredible 58 league goals in three seasons (being instrumental in the side's return to the second level in 2003), operating as both forward and midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Following stellar performances, Copado, at 31, returned to the Bundesliga for the third time in his career, joining Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
on a three-year contract. He eventually broke into the first team after early difficulties, managing six goals during the season. In December 2005 he was even awarded the Player of the Month award. However, Copado only managed one goal in his 14 last appearances, losing the confidence of manager Friedhelm Funkel and subsequently being sold in the following transfer window (although he still appeared in the first match of 2006–07).
Copado joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in 30 August 2006, being a crucial offensive element in the club's rise from the third (Regionalliga Süd
Regionalliga Süd
The Regionalliga Süd is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the southern part of Germany...
) to the first level in just two seasons (14 goals in his first season, 10 in the second). He appeared sparingly during the season's first half, managing to score a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in Hoffenheim's 3–0 home win over Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
, on 29 November 2008. On 16 December, he was released from contract, returning to former side Unterhaching and retiring on 31 March 2009, having played his last game the previous day.
Personal
- Copado is the brother-in-lawBrother-in-lawA brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.-See also:*Affinity *Sister-in-law*Brothers in Law , a 1955 British comedy novel...
of Hasan SalihamidžićHasan SalihamidžicHasan Salihamidžić is a Bosnian football midfielder currently playing for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.-Early life:His father Ahmed and mother Šefika gave him the nickname "Braco" meaning "little brother" in Bosnian since Hasan has an older sister, hence his current nickname "Brazzo". He...
, to whom his sister is married. - During his playing days at Mallorca, he was often referred to as Paco.
- Copado is married to Eva Schrobenhauser, daughter of former side Unterhaching's owner Anton Schrobenhauser.