Francisco (footballer, born 1978)

Francisco
Francisco as Almería manager in 2013
Personal information
Full name Francisco Javier Rodríguez Vílchez
Date of birth (1978-06-17) 17 June 1978
Place of birth Almería, Spain
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Santos Laguna (head coach)
Youth career
1995–1996 Plus Ultra
1996–1997 Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Poli Almería 72 (15)
1999–2001 Valencia B 41 (7)
2000–2001Poli Ejido (loan) 41 (7)
2002–2004 Almería 103 (36)
2004–2005 Albacete 28 (3)
2005–2007 Almería 48 (9)
2007–2008 Granada 74 35 (3)
2008–2009 Alicante 22 (2)
2010 Orihuela 14 (5)
Total 404 (87)
Managerial career
2010–2011 Almería (youth)
2011–2013 Almería B
2013–2014 Almería
2016–2017 UCAM Murcia
2017–2018 Lugo
2018 Córdoba
2018–2019 Huesca
2020–2021 Girona
2021–2022 Elche
2023–2024 Rayo Vallecano
2025– Santos Laguna
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Francisco Javier Rodríguez Vílchez (born 17 June 1978), known simply as Francisco, is a Spanish football manager and former footballer who played as a striker. He is the current head coach of Liga MX club Santos Laguna.

His career was closely associated with Almería as both a player and manager, and he started coaching the first team at the age of 35. In the former capacity, he amassed Segunda División totals of 185 matches and 45 goals over six seasons, also representing Granada 74 and Alicante in the competition.