Santi Denia

Santiago Denia Sánchez, commonly known as Santi, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central defender, currently manager of Qatar Stars League club Al Shahaniya.
He appeared in 297 La Liga matches over 11 seasons, with Albacete and Atlético Madrid. He won the 1996 league championship with the latter club.

Club career

Born in Albacete, Castilla–La Mancha, Santi began playing professionally with his hometown side Albacete Balompié. He made his La Liga debut at age 18, and immediately became an undisputed starter as they constantly managed to retain their top-flight status.
Santi signed for Atlético Madrid in the summer of 1995, being crowned league and Copa del Rey champion in his first season as part of a defensive line which also included youth graduates Juan Manuel López and Roberto Solozábal. He appeared in 37 league matches during the campaign.
Following Atlético's 2000 relegation, Santi gradually lost his importance in the team's plans. In 2004–05, after the signing of Pablo Ibáñez – who also came from Albacete – he featured in no games at all in the first half of the season, and was subsequently allowed to leave on loan in January 2005 to his first club. The move was made permanent in June and he retired after two more years, with Albacete now in the Segunda División.
Santi eventually returned to Atlético Madrid in early February 2009, as assistant to newly-appointed Abel Resino who had replaced Javier Aguirre. He was a caretaker manager for the fixture against RCD Mallorca on 24 October, before the appointment of Quique Sánchez Flores.