Latest news with #Alguacil
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal face nervous wait as Real Sociedad look to repeat Martin Zubimendi trick
Arsenal are front-runners in the race to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi for £51m but there is still time for a spanner to be thrown into the works Arsenal's move for Martin Zubimendi has long looked like a matter of when rather than if. However, the same was true of Liverpool's pursuit of the Real Sociedad star, and his current club are aiming to repeat the move which served them well last summer. After staying in San Sebastian to play for La Real in the Champions League, Zubimendi had looked destined for an Anfield switch. After a last-ditch plea from manager Imanol Alguacil, though, he decided to stay put. This time it's president Jokin Aperribay, rather than Alguacil, making a last-ditch attempt to keep the star around. They're ready to pay £51m for the Spain international, with reports earlier this week indicating he will undergo a medical before signing. Zubimendi will meet up with his international colleagues in June, after being named in Luis de la Fuente's squad for the UEFA Nations League semis and - if they beat France - the final. And, if Arsenal don't complete a deal before then, Aperribay has urged the 26-year-old to take his time over the decision. 'We've told Martin to go to the national team calmly, to think about it, and we'd like him to stay," Aperribay is quoted as saying by El Desmarque (via Sport Witness)."We know there are several options. Something may come to fruition or not… I don't see it happening in the short term. We don't see it that way, so we have to wait and see.' Back in 2024, Alguacil appealed to Zubimendi's emotions in an effort to convince him to stay. The boss is understood to have reminded the midfielder of the beautiful Basque Country and the local cuisine, and that played a part in helping keep the player at his boyhood club. ' Liverpool is a historic and great club and the fact a player like Martin said 'no' is a reason to be proud," Alguacil later said (via Relevo) 'That means that things are being done well at the club." While Zubimendi stayed, other key men did not. his former team-mate Mikel Merino joined Arsenal last summer, while Robin Le Normand made a big-money move to Atletico Madrid. Alguacil's side were unable to keep up their high standards, slumping to an 11th-place finish in La Liga. They also saw their Europa League dreams crushed by Manchester United, as Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick to complete a 6-3 aggregate win. It still looks more likely than not that this will be the summer where Zubimendi leaves. However, it appears his club won't give up hope until the deal is official. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Martin Zubimendi teased over Arsenal transfer in Real Sociedad training
A video has surfaced which appears to show Martin Zubimendi being teased by Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil over his impending switch to Arsenal. The Gunners have set their sights on signing Zubimendi as their first piece of business for the summer and are poised to trigger the midfielder's £51million release clause to prise their top target away from Sociedad. Reports last month claimed Arsenal's hierarchy were confident the move was now effectively a 'done deal', with Mikel Arteta desperate for midfield reinforcements to strengthen his squad and accommodate for the expected departure of Jorginho. However, Real Madrid have not yet given up hope of landing Zubimendi and intend to do everything in their power to beat Arsenal to the Spain international, 26, who came close to joining Liverpool last year. It's understood incoming Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has encouraged the club to pursue bids for both Zubimendi and Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz when the summer transfer window opens for business. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Zubimendi has remained tight-lipped amid the speculation over his future, intent on doing his talking on the pitch and finishing the campaign on a high with Sociedad. But Sociedad head coach Alguacil was caught dropping a juicy hint over Zubimendi's next steps in a rather telling moment captured by the club's own cameras during a training session on Saturday. While putting his players through their paces, Alguacil was pictured cupping his hands around his mouth before shouting, 'Zubi, intensity!', from a distance in perfect English, before bursting into laughter. It came just 24 hours before Sociedad ran out 3-2 victors in their penultimate match of the La Liga campaign at home to Girona. Zubimendi played the full 90 minutes at the Reale Arena and looked emotional as Sociedad's home support begged him to stay with cries of 'Stay, Zubi' at the full-time whistle. Sociedad's president Jokin Aperribay has been a little more cautious than Alguacil when discussing Zubimendi's future, refusing to be drawn on the incessant rumours with the season still ongoing. 'We'll see what happens. All I ask of him is one last effort to qualify for Europe and whatever happens, will happen in June,' he told Spanish newspaper Marca last month. 'There's no point in speculating now about whether he'll be there. He's had several opportunities to leave and he'll make the decision he wants, because he'll have more options.' Asked whether Zubimendi could extend his stay with Sociedad, Aperribay replied: 'I don't remember our last conversation. When I talk to him, it's more about goals, pushing. 'There's one month left, and we're playing against opponents who can beat us, but we can also beat them all. 'There are no easy or difficult matches. Martin is part of that. I don't know if it's difficult for him to stay. More Trending 'We haven't tried to raise the clause. Don't think contracts are negotiated like that. It's more a matter of willpower. If he wants to continue the conversation, it will last five minutes. I don't know if it's difficult.' Zubimendi joined Sociedad's academy back in 201, aged just 12, and has gone on to make 232 appearances for his boyhood team across seven years in the first-team. In that time, Zubimendi has lifted the Copa del Rey with Sociedad, while helping the club reach the last-16 stage of the Champions League last term. The Spaniard's current deal in San Sebastian is due to expire in June 2027. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Jude Bellingham stuns Real Madrid fans by giving first interview in fluent Spanish MORE: Gary Neville makes final Premier League top-five prediction with Chelsea missing out MORE: William Saliba injury update after Arsenal star forced out of Newcastle win
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Sociedad announce Imanol Alguacil replacement
Real Sociedad have wasted no time in replacing Imanol Alguacil, after it was announced that their long-term manager would be departing this summer upon the expiry of his contract. The 53-year-old will leave a long-lasting legacy at the club, following 6.5 years of consistent success. Alguacil will be hoping he can continue his record of qualifying the Txuri-Urdin for European football in every full season in which he has been in charge. With five games to go, La Real sit in 10th spot, but just two points back from Osasuna in a Conference League spot, and four back from Celta Vigo in a Europa League position. Advertisement After a lengthy spell, and a particularly long season, which has proven more difficult than previous years, Alguacil decided against continuing in his post. Girona manager Michel Sanchez and former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, who came through the academy at Zubieta, were cited as favourites for the job. Image via Real Soceidad However Real Sociedad have opted for the continuity candidate, and announced on Friday that Sergio Francisco will be taking over. He will pen a contract for two seasons until 2027, after arriving at the club eight years ago. Following five years and a promotion at Real Sociedad C, he is now in his third year at Real Sociedad B, where Relevo say he has been credited with 'doing a brilliant job.' The 46-year-old comes into the job as something of an unknown prospect though, but will be familiar with the tools at his disposal. Francisco played as a forward for La Real briefly, coming through the academy and making his first-team debut in 2000. He would then have a career in the third and fourth tier before retirement. With Real Sociedad B, he has managed a 5th-place finish, a 9th-place finish and is on track to make the play-offs for a second time, with the team in fourth position.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Real Sociedad Appoint Francisco to Replace Alguacil as Manager from Next Season
Real Sociedad have appointed their reserve team coach Sergio Francisco as manager from next season to replace Imanol Alguacil who is stepping down at the end of the current campaign, the LaLiga club said on Friday. Alguacil, in charge since 2018, won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and took Real to European football for five successive seasons. He informed the club on Thursday that he will leave the role at the end of the season, when his contract expires. The club have again decided to appoint from within, and Francisco, who like Alguacil, began his playing career at Real, has managed their C and B teams since 2017, having previously taken charge of Real Union in Spain's third tier. Francisco, 45, has signed a deal until 2027, and will take charge of the reserves for the final time on Saturday before dedicating himself to planning for next season. Real are 10th in the LaLiga standings on 42 points and still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe once again.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Real Sociedad appoint Francisco to replace Alguacil as manager from next season
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - March 13, 2025 Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo (Reuters) -Real Sociedad have appointed their reserve team coach Sergio Francisco as manager from next season to replace Imanol Alguacil who is stepping down at the end of the current campaign, the LaLiga club said on Friday. Alguacil, in charge since 2018, won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and took Real to European football for five successive seasons. He informed the club on Thursday that he will leave the role at the end of the season, when his contract expires. The club have again decided to appoint from within, and Francisco, who like Alguacil, began his playing career at Real, has managed their C and B teams since 2017, having previously taken charge of Real Union in Spain's third tier. Francisco, 45, has signed a deal until 2027, and will take charge of the reserves for the final time on Saturday before dedicating himself to planning for next season. Real are 10th in the LaLiga standings on 42 points and still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe once again. (Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis)
