After Imanol Alguacil’s exit, Real Sociedad have chosen a replacement who has not really been to the liking of the supporters.
Real Sociedad are going through turbulent days after it was confirmed that Imanol Alguacil will leave the club at the end of the season. The coach from Orio, a beloved figure and symbol of a period of stability, has chosen to retire after a somewhat uneven season in La Liga and the European Cups. Only the strong performance in the Copa del Rey, where Txuri-Urdin reached the semi-finals, was a consolation for the fans who had expected more. Imanol’s departure has left a deep mark and sparked debate about the club’s future direction.
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With five games left in the season, Real Sociedad are in 10th place in La Liga.
Disappointment on Anoeta
With his departure, high-profile names began to circulate that aroused enthusiasm among supporters: Julen Lopetegui with his international experience, Jagoba Arrasate who knows the club and Basque football well, or even the icon Xabi Alonso with his growing reputation as a coach. Expectations were high, but the board made an unexpected decision: to invest in Sergio Francisco, the current coach of Sanse (the reserve team), as the new head coach of the first team.
Reactions among supporters
This decision has sparked a wave of skepticism among fans. Many believe the club shows a lack of ambition, especially after a season that demanded a clear answer. Although Francisco has done a good job with the reserve team, his promotion to the first team has not been received with enthusiasm. Social media has been filled with criticism and doubts about his ability to lead a top-level project at a club that aims to establish itself in the elite.
The supporters, hurt by the departure of an iconic figure like Imanol and surprised by a choice they perceive as risky, feel that the club has missed a chance to inspire with a new era. All the scorn now rests on Sergio Francisco for reversing this feeling from day one.
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