Guipuzcoa coaching boom

THE Premier League has witnessed a unique phenomenon with the influx of coaches from Spain’s smallest province, Guipuzcoa from the Basque Country. With the recent ap pointment of Andoni Iraola as Bournemouth’s coach, a total of four out of the 20 coaches in the English league now hail from this ex traordinary region. This statisti cal challenge raises questions and highlights the exceptional footballing lineage of Guipuzcoa.

Iraola joins the illustrious list of Spanish coaches in the world’s top league, alongside Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Unai Emery (Aston Villa), and Julen Lopetegui (Wolverhampton). What sets these coaches apart is that, except for Pep Guardiola, they all originate from Guipuzcoa. This province, covering a mere 2,000 square kilometres and inhabited by just 726,000 people, constitutes only 1.52 per cent of the Spanish population. Yet, despite its small size, Guipuzcoa has emerged as a footballing heavyweight.

The sporting tradition of Guipuzcoa is well­established, with Real Sociedad and Real Unión de Irún playing pivotal roles in the creation of the Spanish League in 1928.

Additionally, the incredible story of Eibar, a team from a town with a population of 27,000, defies the odds and captivates football enthusiasts. The Premier League is not the sole destination for Guipuzcoan coaches. Xabi Alonso has also ventured to Germany, joining Bayer Leverkusen last year.

The fact that 80 per cent of these coaches originate from Guipuzcoa defies statistical norms but further enhances the mystery and allure surrounding this phenomenon. Guipuzcoa’s footballing legacy, from talented players to accomplished coaches, continues to captivate and amaze the football world.