TerminalPortugal Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 8th July 2015, 15:00 LUIS FIGO, NEW HEAD COACH OF REAL SOCIEDAD Today at an early afternoon meeting at the Anoeta, it was announced that Real Madrid and Portugal legend Luis Figo would be returning to Spanish football in the capacity of Head Coach for Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad took the rather surprising move following days of speculation that Jagoba Arrasate was ready to walk out on the club following a series of misunderstandings with President Jokin Aperribay. It is believed that the issue could well be to do with pay increases that Arrasate felt should have been made to himself on qualifying for the Europa League. In the press conference today President Aperribay thanked Arrasate for his contribution to the club and wished him well in the future. The President then proceeded to introduce new manager and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo. In the press conference Figo made it clear that he had been looking forward to get into management for sometime. Figo had been previously been performing an ambassadorial role at Inter Milan, but quit to take up the position at the Anoeta. It remains to be seen as to whether this will be a gamble for the Basque club as they look to build on last season's successful campaign. Figo clearly comes in with some clout as a La Liga legend, but there are already critics of the choice within the fanbase. It appears some fans are not happy that Figo whom had such a close association with Real Madrid and Barcelona be appointed to the head coach position at the Basque club. Others sentiment has centered on why Sociedad would risk so much on an inexperienced manager. It is believed that Figo met most of the players earlier this morning, when the decision was announced internally to the club staff. No reaction has yet to come out of the dressing room but club sources believe that Figo should have no problems commanding the respect of the dressing room. Real Sociedad open up the La Liga campaign away to newly promoted Eibar in approximately 3 weeks and there will no doubt be an application of pressure should Sociedad not manage the win what would be billed as a game they should win. Before that Real Sociedad also have to negotiate qualification to to Europa League Group Stages and Figo will be wanting to avoid any potential banana skins early in his managerial reign. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerminalPortugal Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 Real Sociedad Club Background Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D., more commonly referred to as Real Sociedad or La Real, is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909. Its home stadium is Anoeta, which seats 32,200 spectators. Real Sociedad won the La Liga title in 1980–81 and 1981–82, and last finished runners-up in 2002–03. The club play the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao. Real Sociedad were founder members of La Liga in 1928, and their longest spell in the top flight was for 40 seasons from 1967 to 2007. Key Players and Squad Thoughts on the Squad – Generally speaking I have to be pretty happy with the squad. We seem to have very dangerous attacking players, and perhaps a little impressive at the back, but really there are no major problem positions at the club. So it will be a matter of trying to keep everyone happy and seeing if we can pick up a bargain or two in the transfer windows. There is no doubt that we have a talented youthful team that will only get better, and the Academy has had a pretty decent record of bringing through good players for the first team. Inigo Martinez – Inigo is perhaps the strongest player at the back. He is still young at 23. He may lack a shade of pace and perhaps not the strongest in the air but he is a ball playing centre-back with some strong fundamentals to his game. He should be the rock at the back that we need and can build on. Sergio Canales – Sergio arrived on the scene at Racing Santander as a potential teenage phenom that was going to take the world by storm. This may not have really materialised but the kid has real talent and will be the creative fulcrum in the midfield. Carlos Vela – Another teenage wonderkid, who never really got the chance at Arsenal. His move to the Spanish La Liga has seemed to suit him much better and he has come on leaps and bounds. He is now probably one of the elite strikers in the league, but also has the versatility to play out wide. He can be as much a creative assist maker as finisher and hopefully he will lead us to plenty of goals. Board Expectations La Liga – Respectable League Position, predicted to finish 8th in the media prediction Europa League – Be competitive Copa del Rey – Reach the Quarter Final My Expectations La Liga – Qualify for the Europe Europa League – Reach the Quarter Finals Copa del Rey – Reach the Quarter Finals General Points About The Game Leagues Loaded Austria Belgium Croatia Czech Republic England France Germany Greece Holland Italy Portugal Romania Russia Spain Switzerland Turkey Ukraine The rest of Europe is on View Only. There are no real general rules about this game apart from a general desire to be as successful as possible and take opportunities as Figo would logically take them in a managerial career. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerminalPortugal Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 Real Union 1-3 Real Sociedad 23/7/2014 Friendly Stadium Gal, Irun GOALS [2] – X. Prieto (Real Union 0-1 Real Sociedad) – The ball is picked up out on the right hand wing by Carlos Martinez, one touch control and whipped in from deep to Prieto who controls first time and knocks it across the keeper just inside the post [21] – R. Pardo (Real Union 0-2 Real Sociedad) – Carlos Martinez picks up the ball out on the right and cross in. The ball is cleared but falls to Zurutuza about 25 yards out. Zuzutuza plays it square to Pardo whom unleashes a thunderous shot that beats the keeper from all of 25 yards low to the keepers right. [25] – I. Agirretxe (Real Union 0-3 Real Sociedad) – De la Bella out wide on the left hand side with the ball, and cross the ball from deep into the box. Agirretxe gets a glanced flicked header running across the ball deflecting the ball to the keepers left creeping inside the post. [57] – I. Goikoetxea (Real Union 1-3 Real Sociedad) - Real Union clear there box and break at pace as the ball is played in behind the Real Sociedad backline. Silas runs onto the ball and waits for supports whom arrives unmarked on the left hand side of the box. Silas pass across the box to Goikoetxea arriving late, whom take a touch and whips the ball past the keeper. Manager Thoughts: A pretty good first performance as the team got off to a winning start. Disappointing to have not created more in the second half and to have conceded quite a poor goal defensively, however all in all we got the job done. Ruben Pardo was the pick of the players and had the goal of the game with his screamer from 25 yards. In many ways the result was not important despite winning. It acquainted the players with the system and got some fitness into the legs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeedsUnitedForLife Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 love the style Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.