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When Real Sociedad appointed Imanol Alguacil as first team coach in 2018, no one knew that he would become an important part of the team. He stepped down only last summer, and both finally came to the conclusion that his glory days were coming to an end. As it turned out, Real Sociedad had Alguacil more than a simple coach. He is not the only one left, and now, they are hovering above the landing area.
Under Alguacil, La Real have achieved everything they could wish for. They qualified for European competitions every season under Alguacil until his last, and are seeking the Copa del Rey trophy in 2020, ending four decades without a trophy. Anoeta has been one of the most feared stadiums in Spain, especially in the rain. More importantly, Alguacil understood and respected the culture of the school. His teams include graduates like Igor Zubeldia, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal, as well as talented foreigners like Mikel Merino, Alexander Isak and Takefusa Kubo. With physically strong players the Basque football player, fighting in duels, the Alguacil combined with a high grip method, and techniques.
What Real Sociedad did not realize was that Imanol Alguacil fostered a unique environment. Although last year was not so good, there has been a big difference since he came out. When Alguacil announced to the team that he would not renew, reports say that different players of the academy were shedding tears. Alguacil represents human success: down to earth, ready to joke with journalists, and highly respected by players and club officials. For many of the current first team players, Alguacil was the one who helped them rise to the first team.
Real Sociedad was not ready for his exit. The group respected his decision, saying he was tired after so many years, and while the local media talked about the growing tension between the Alguacil and the recruiting group. The club chose to do the same as it did in 2018: promote the coach of the B team. So Sergio Francisco was appointed in the summer, with the difficult task of continuing the ownership of Alguacil.
Not all B team coaches are first team coaches. Undoubtedly, Real Sociedad did not help Francisco’s transition to a new role. Martin Zubimendi left, joining the husks of Isak and Merino, whose absence is still felt in Zubieta. Despite injuries to Orri Oskarsson and Mikel Oyarzabal, record signing Umar Sadiq has just two starts to his name in La Liga.
The problem was less about who left, and more to do with who didn’t come – the team needed reinforcements. Especially in the forward area, where Oskarsson has shown that he still has more potential than the finished product. In the midfield, Carlos Soler is the only major guarantee, Yangel Herrera’s contribution has been canceled due to injury. Up front, the loan signing of Goncalo Guedes didn’t send a message of ambition, and Francisco’s presence wasn’t the only reason a tricky season was predicted as a result.
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What seemed to be in danger of ending in disaster happened on Sunday morning. Francisco never found a spark in the team, he claimed only four victories in sixteen games, only the Basque derby was full of fire and passion. Real Sociedad have already struggled to convert chances under Alguacil, but they can make up for it with the number of chances they have created. These have disappeared, leaving players with a poor trade. Francisco was still looking for answers when he was fired.
Relying on a direct approach, Francisco’s team did not dominate as Alguacil did, and did not damage the opposition enough that way. Herrera may have helped that, but an €11 million deadline day signing is not the foundation of any well-planned project. And he didn’t have a reference before, so Oyarzabal repeated his role as a number nine, in a completely different game to the one he played for Spain.
Sports Director Robert Olabe, along with President Joakin Aperribay and Alguacil who can claim to be one of the builders of their successful era, also left in the summer. Lured to Aston Villa in the Premier League, he had to make way for Erik Bretos, who will replace him. Another candidate, the 36-year-old former Real Sociedad star also has a lot of shoes to fill.
The defeat to Girona was the last frame (1-2) for Francisco, Bretos and Aperribay are reported to have called a few hours after Viktor Tsygankov’s goal. It was further evidence of a pattern, with the team struggling to create chances, and easily conceding points when they did. Meanwhile, B team coach Ion Ansotegi has been promoted yet again, with the club edging dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Ansotegi will see out La Real until the winter break, with former Hoffenheim and Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo reported to be a permanent option. Whoever takes power for a long time, tthe club needs a U-turn urgently – they have had their reality check. Sitting just above the relegation zone, Francisco’s tenure has brought lessons, and even if he’s struggled to do his part, his departure shouldn’t hide the other flaws that were evident in August.