 After starting coaching with Logroñés' reserves, Lotina managed the club in two separate stints in the 90's (11 games).In 1995–96, whilst in charge of CD Numancia, he helped the third level team reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey after ousting top flight sides Real Sociedad, Racing de Santander and Sporting de Gijón before bowing out to eventual finalists FC Barcelona 3–5 on aggregate.After his top level debuts with Logroñés in the 1996–97 season, being one of five managers as the team finished in 22nd and last position, Lotina's next years were spent in division two, with CD Badajoz, Numancia and CA Osasuna, helping the second promote to the top tier for the first time ever in 1999 and the third achieve the same feat the following year after a six-year absence.