In just over two years, the Madrid coach has taken Girona from the Second Division to the top of LaLiga
The Basque coach won the third Copa del Rey for Real Sociedad and has guided the team to the round of 16 of the Champions League
He Girona and the Real society They are two clear examples of teams forged over slow fire that are now rewarded with great successes. Michel e Imanol Alguacil Not only are they achieving good numbers with their teams, but they also dazzle the fans with the beautiful game they play on the field.
Given the haste characteristic of many football clubs LaLiga to dismiss coaches when the results do not arrive, Girona and Real Sociedad have formed teams very committed to the game idea of both coaches. Now, both Míchel and Imanol Arias enjoy seeing how all the work they have dedicated to their teams flourishes.
Míchel’s miracle
After Girona was on the verge of promotion to the First Division for two consecutive seasons, Míchel took the reins of Girona in the 2021/2022 season and was promoted to the team in his first season at the helm.
In his debut with Girona in the First Division, the Madrid coach managed to get Girona to finish in the tenth position in the leagueequaling Girona led by Pablo Machín from the 2017/2018 season as the best record for the Catalan team in LaLiga.
Furthermore, the colorful offensive game that they offered the viewer last season was one of the characteristic features of Míchel’s Girona. The proof is that Girona was the fourth team with the most goals scored in LaLigabeing surpassed only by Barça, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and Villareal.
However, Girona has completely exploded this season. Míchel’s team plays like angels and leads the LaLiga standings with 12 rounds played. In just over two years, the Madrid coach has taken Girona from the Second Division to the top of LaLigaahead of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Imanol Alguacil, the genius of the house
Who better to lead the team to success than someone from home. Imanol Alguacil arrived at Real Sociedad in his last year as a youth player and from there he reached the first team, where he played for seven seasons. Already retired, the Basque coach began his career on the bench as assistant coach of Real Sociedad B in 2013.
It was in December 2018 when Imanol Alguacil replaced Asier Garitano as first team coach. Although he was already in charge of the ‘txuri urdin’ team from March to June 2018, replacing Eusebio Sacristánthe Basque coach began his golden era at the head of Real Sociedad with a 0-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After taking the reins of the San Sebastián team at the end of December 2018, Real Sociedad finished the season in the ninth position. Already in the following season, Imanol managed to return the team to the European places finishing in sixth place in the league.
However, the 2020/2021 season was even better for Real Sociedad. The ‘txuri urdin’ team finished fifth and won the King’s Cup Postponed from the previous season due to the pandemic. Imanol’s team beat Athletic Bilbao in the final and won the club’s third Copa del Rey 33 years later.
Still, the icing on the cake came last season with the qualification for the Champions League after going ten years without contesting it. Now, with three wins and a draw in the group stage, Real Sociedad has qualified for the Champions League round of 16 with two games left to play.