Real Sociedad is looking for a new manager for the first time in more than six years, after the exit of Imanol Alguacil was announced on Wednesday at the end of the season. Alguacil is the second longest serving manager in La Liga after Diego Simeone.
Alguacil was the one who finally made the decision and chose to put an end to his enormously successful enchantment at Anoeta. However, it pushes La Real into a state of Flux, where sports director Roberto Olabe also left this summer. The dream goal to replace Aguacil is former player Xabi Alonso, but with the Bayer Leverkusen manager the number one target for Real Madrid, it seems an external opportunity.
However, two top goals have emerged for the role. According to Marca, President Jokin Aperibay is the most enthusiastic about former Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui, who has a reputation and comes from Gipuzkoa. He also came through the Academy in Zubieta as a player. However, Girona manager Michel Sanchez is also one of the favorites, with a similar playing style like Alguacil and has a release clause of € 2 million. Another option is B team manager Sergio Francisco, who has performed well with the youth side, but is not expected to be the favorites.
MD is added that Jagoba Arrasate is another name that is quoted as an unlikely but possible option, with admirers in the director's box. The first job of Arrasate at the highest level was with La Real, and he has proven his value at Osasuna and RCD Mallorca, but he seems to be committed to the last one.
Lopetegui would certainly be a deviation from what Alguacil based his party, and in general he has less a record of bleeding youth players, one of the basis of their success in recent years. Michel seems stylistically more logical follow -up, but the collapse in Girona in the second half of the season can color its candidacy differently than has been the case in January.