Pedro Riesco

After his retirement, Riesco quickly moved into coaching, becoming the head of Terrassa's grassroots operation. He left the position in October 2004, being replaced by Carles Guardia. Later, he became an agent, working with, among others, Óscar Rico. He negotiated Rico's signing by Riesco's former club, Deportivo Alavés, in 2009. Like many other former players, including Dani García, Toni Muñoz, Óscar Mena and Kiko, Riesco has also enjoyed success in amateur seven-a-side football. He won the national "Soccer 7" championship with his team, Desperdicios Majadahonda.

Riesco was now approaching his 33rd birthday, and struggled with injuries during the ensuing second tier campaign. He played just six times that year, just twice in the starting line-up. His final appearance was a one-minute cameo on 23 February 2003, being brought on in place of Juan Carlos Sanz at the end of a 2–1 win over Salamanca at Helmántico Stadium. Riesco retired at the end of the season after over 350 professional appearances in a 14-year career.

The following season was his most prolific with the club, scoring six goals in 30 games. 2001–02 was to bring more success, as he scored three times in 21 appearances and helped Terrassa to a place in the promotion playoffs. He featured in five of the six playoff matches, against Barakaldo, Ceuta and Hércules, as Terrassa won all six and secured promotion to the Segunda División for the first time since 1978–79.

Like Ourense, Riesco descended to Segunda División B in 1999–2000, joining Terrassa. He made his debut in the first match of the season, a 0–0 away draw with Cartagonova at their eponymous stadium on 29 August. Eight days later, he marked his home debut with a goal in the 3–0 victory over Lorca at Estadi Olímpic de Terrassa. This was one of three goals he scored in his 27 appearances during his first season with Terrassa.

With his former club heading for La Liga, Riesco remained in the Segunda División by joining their erstwhile rivals Ourense in July 1998. He made his debut in the first match of the season, coming on as a substitute for Víctor Arias in the 3–0 away defeat by Sevilla at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium on 30 August. From then on, he was a fixture in the starting line-up, making his home debut six days later in a 1–0 defeat at the hands of Málaga.

Riesco had to wait until 20 October to make his first start in the league, in the 1–0 loss to Eibar at Ipurua Municipal Stadium. Six days later, he started in front of Alavés's home supporters in the league for the first time, as they beat Lleida 3–1. He finally netted his first goal for the club in a 4–0 home win over Écija Balompié on 22 December, and ended the season with four goals in 34 appearances. 1997–98 was to be even more successful for both club and player: Riesco played 45 times, and contributed three goals, while Alavés enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in their history, winning the Segunda División title and earning a return to the top flight for the first time since 1955–56. They also enjoyed an excellent run in the Copa del Rey, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

After only 26 matches in three seasons, Riesco finally left Deportivo for good in the summer of 1996, signing for Deportivo Alavés in the Segunda División. He made his Alavés debut in a 1–0 Copa del Rey first round win over Cultural Leonesa at Estadio Antonio Amilivia on 4 September, and also featured in the second leg at Mendizorrotza Stadium two weeks later, which Alavés won 2–0. His league debut came against Real Mallorca on 22 September, coming off the bench for Bruno Alicarte after 66 minutes of the 3–1 defeat at Lluís Sitjar Stadium.

At the third time of asking, a deal was finally agreed, and Riesco joined Real Valladolid on loan during the January transfer window. He made his Valladolid debut away to Logroñés on 8 January 1995, coming on for Mami Quevedo with 19 minutes to play in the 0–0 draw at Estadio Las Gaunas.

Riesco returned to his parent club ahead of the 1995–96 season, and did make one final appearance for Depor. This came on 14 September, when he came on in place of Manjarín for the last seven minutes of their UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round first leg match against APOEL of Cyprus at Makario Stadium, which ended 0–0. Riesco was not involved as Deportivo won a stunning return leg 8–0.

Before the start of the 1994–95 season, Deportivo signed Spanish international forward Julio Salinas from Barcelona, pushing Riesco further down the pecking order. A prospective move to Racing Santander fell through due to Depor insisting on a prohibitively high price. By November, it had been announced that Bulgarian Emil Kostadinov would also join from Porto in January, and Riesco told the Mundo Deportivo newspaper of his desire to leave the club. Among others, Santander (again), Real Betis, Español and Albacete Balompié were all reported to be interested in signing him.

Riesco opened his league account on 8 November with a goal just after half time against Sevilla at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, although he couldn't prevent the hosts taking a 3–2 victory. Ultimately, that season was his best in the top flight, as he scored eight goals in 39 appearances in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, this form led to interest from bigger clubs, including Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, and by the end of the season it was known that he was moving on. His final match for Rayo was a 2–2 home draw with Albacete Balompié on 13 June 1993.

Despite interest from Madrid's two giant teams, it was confirmed in May 1993 that Riesco would join Deportivo La Coruña, with a fee of 100 million Pta and a three-year contract. Head coach Arsenio Iglesias was in the process of building his legendary Super Depor side, which featured the attacking talents of Brazil international Bebeto alongside Claudio Barragán and Javier Manjarín, both of whom would earn call-ups to the Spanish national team thanks to their exploits with the club. Despite this competition, Riesco started the first game of the season on 5 September, a 0–0 home draw with Celta Vigo at Estadio Riazor, although his opportunities in the league would be limited.

He made 14 appearances that season, but it was in 1991–92 that he would really make his name. He played 39 times in all competitions, and his eight goals were a major factor in Rayo securing the runners-up spot in the league and earning a return to La Liga after two seasons away. He made his top flight debut on 5 September 1992, against Valencia at Mestalla Stadium, in a match which Rayo lost 1–0. Their first home game was eight days later against Logroñés, which ended 2–1 in the hosts' favour. On 1 October, Riesco scored a brace in the 4–1 Copa del Rey third round first leg victory over Tudelano at Estadio Ciudad de Tudela; Rayo went on to win the tie 10–2.

Staying in Madrid, Riesco joined newly relegated Segunda División side Rayo Vallecano in 1990. He made his debut on 9 September at home to Deportivo La Coruña, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Rafael García Cortés. Rayo ultimately lost the match at Vallecas 3–0. His full debut came a week later in a 1–1 away draw against Real Avilés Industrial, and he kept his place for the home fixture against Figueres on 23 September, which ended in the same scoreline.

Riesco was born in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and began his professional career with Madrilenian side Getafe. He made his way into the team in the latter stages of the 1989–90 Segunda División B campaign, making his debut in a 2–2 draw at home to Juventud Cambados on 11 March. He scored his first goal on 29 April, netting after just four minutes away to Cultural Leonesa at Estadio Antonio Amilivia, in a match which Getafe ultimately won 2–1. He followed this up with a second goal a week later in a 3–1 home win over Real Ávila, and added a third before the end of the season, in the 2–1 home win over Arosa on 20 May. A week later, he played in a 2–1 away defeat at the hands of Pontevedra at Estadio Municipal de Pasarón, which marked his 11th appearance of the season.

Pedro Riesco Herrera (born 25 October 1969) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward. After retirement, he worked as a youth coach and an agent, as well as having success in amateur seven-a-side football.