La Real & the path to redemption

Real Sociedad are part of a special La Liga group that blossom in the League by playing tantalizing football, winning over many neutrals and who get their just rewards by reaching Europe’s elite competition, only to find that playing on two fronts is too much and the walls come crashing down. Other clubs who have shared this stage have been Celta Vigo, Real Betis, Villarreal and Osasuna.

For La Real it may seem like Déjà vu. Back in 2004 they reached the Promised Land, but three years later they were relegated and almost bankrupt. They are determined not to allow history to repeat itself and have sacked Coach Jagoba Arrasate. They must now look for someone to pick up the pieces and quickly.

According to the club’s President, Jokin Aperribay, the club have four possible candidates for the dug-out. Aperribay has announced that a possible suitor may be picked as soon as Monday. But Aperribay’s decision making has been called into question. Was Arrasate the right man to replace Philippe Montanier? A good question and some had doubts.

Yet the board pressed ahead and appointed a man who was still under 40, had limited playing experience and had never held the reigns at a top-flight club to lead them back into the Champions League. Despite struggling to balance domestic duties with European ones, they still offered him a new contract back in April.

When the season finished, some felt that was the time to make a change. It was true that Arraste had led the club to seventh and the qualified for the Europa League but he hadn’t been very convincing. But, the board stuck with their man and with the season only 10 games old, and with La Real only having one win so far, the axe fell.

There is no shortage of names to replace Arrasate. If media reports are to be believed, it seems that the favourite is former Manchester United manager, David Moyes. Moyes and Phil Neville have met with Aperribay in Madrid and look set for more meetings this weekend.

The Scot plans to bring former La Real midfielder Inigo Idiakez on to his coaching team, which may help him to win over fans. It gives Moyes the chance to bounce back quickly from his disappointing spell at United and also in a country where he is still relatively unknown. But, others have tried this before him.

Chris Coleman came to Spain in an attempt to get his managerial career back on track and ironically, it was also at Real Sociedad. The Welshman’s stay was short and sweet but those were different times. Moyes will look to another Welshman for inspiration, John Toshack. The former Liverpool man still enjoys idol status for leading the club to Copa del Rey success.

While Moyes has his work cut out, he has some very promising youngsters to work with and if he is given time, he may get a chance to win his first piece of real silverware. But, he is not the only one in the frame for the job.

Pepe Mel has also been linked with taking over and he would be a popular choice amongst supporters. Whilst his heart may belong to Real Betis, ask any Rayo Vallecano supporter about their former Coach and they will only speak words of affection. Mel knows the League and is well-liked by those who watch it. He has also proven that he knows how to work on a budget and how to bring Cantera players through.

Mel has been linked with the club for a few weeks now but since Arrasate’s departure, his name hasn’t popped up as much. He has met with the club but it seems that the board look set to go with Moyes. Yet, nothing is agreed so there is still a chance that Mel may find a route back into Spanish football.

Aperribay said he had four potential targets. So far he has only publicly spoken about three. Asier Santana takes control for the game against Atletico Madrid and the President hasn’t ruled him out of getting the job full-time. This though sounds like a tactic from the President to show that the club won’t be held over a barrel or to ransom by any possible candidate.

Real Sociedad are a club that are famous for their generosity. When John Aldridge was at the club over 20 years ago, he was given a kilo of high quality meat for every goal he scored. When he left, he was replaced by Dalian Atkinson who was given a wheel of cheese, traditional of the region. Now the club are offering one lucky person the chance of redemption.

La Liga - Club News