Real Sociedad
Full name | Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. | |||
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Nickname(s) | Txuri-Urdin (The White and Blues) La Real (The Royal) | |||
Founded | 7 September 1909 | |||
Ground | Reale Arena | |||
Capacity | 39,500[1] | |||
President | Jokin Aperribay | |||
Manager | Imanol Alguacil | |||
League | La Liga | |||
2022–23 | La Liga, 4th of 20 | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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Real Sociedad de Fútbol, more commonly referred to as Real Sociedad (pronounced [reˈal soθjeˈðað] es ⓘ;[2] Royal Society) in English, Erreala or Reala in Basque, La Real in Spanish, is a Spanish professional sports club in the city of Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909. It plays its home matches at the Anoeta Stadium.
Real Sociedad won the Liga title in 1980–81 and 1981–82, and finished runner-up in 1979–80, 1987–88, and 2002–03. The club has also won the Copa del Rey three times, in 1909, 1987, and 2020. It contests the Basque derby against rivals Athletic Bilbao. Real Sociedad was a founding member of La Liga in 1929; its longest spell in the top flight was for 40 seasons, from 1967 to 2007.[3]
Traditionally the club followed a policy (
The club has competed in the
Aside from football (including a women's team), Real Sociedad also has several sections in athletics, including track and field, field hockey, and basque pelota.
History
Early history
Football was introduced to
A few months after this victory, the players who had won the tournament founded the Sociedad de Futbol on 7 September 1909. Sociedad applied to enter the
Real Sociedad was a founding member of La Liga in 1929. The team came fourth with Francisco "Paco" Bienzobas finishing as the top scorer. The team's name was changed to Donostia Club de Futbol in 1931 with the advent of the Second Spanish Republic, but changed back to Real Sociedad after the Spanish Civil War in 1939. The team has generally fluctuated between the Primera and Segunda divisions, in one period (during the 1940s) managing to be relegated and promoted seven times. Around that time, the sculptor Eduardo Chillida was the team's goalkeeper until injury put a stop to his football career.
The success of the 1980s
The team finished as runners-up in La Liga for the first time in
The club retained the Liga title the
On 11 March 1987, Real Sociedad set a record for most goals in a quarter-final of the Copa del Rey after defeating Mallorca 10–1. In the semi-finals of the same tournament, it beat its Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao 1–0 over two legs. On 27 June 1987, Real Sociedad won its first Copa del Rey title, defeating Atlético Madrid 4–2 on penalties after drawing 2–2. The match was held at La Romareda in Zaragoza, Aragon.[16] In the following season's Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad defeated Atlético Madrid again after defeating them in the quarter-finals. It then beat Real Madrid 5–0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, but lost 1–0 in the final to Barcelona at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on 30 March 1988.[17] In the 1987–88 La Liga, Real Sociedad were runners-up for the first time since its lost its title – with 51 points to Real Madrid's 62 – and three points clear of third-placed Atlético Madrid.[10]
For many years, Real Sociedad followed the practice of its Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao of
In 1997–98, Real Sociedad finished third, its best finish since being runners-up for the first time since 1988. Its total of 63 points was 11 less than champions Barcelona but just two less than runners-up Athletic Bilbao. The club finished higher in the table than Real Madrid due to a superior goal differential.[20] Yugoslav striker Darko Kovačević scored 17 times that season, making him the fourth-highest scorer in the league.[24] The third-place finish qualified La Real for the 1998–99 UEFA Cup, where it beat Sparta Prague and Dynamo Moscow before being knocked out in the third round by Atlético Madrid.
21st century
After finishing in 13th position for three consecutive seasons, Real Sociedad were runners-up in the 2002–03 La Liga, its best finish since 1988.[25] Its tally of 76 points was only beaten by Real Madrid's 78, and La Real had four more points than third-placed Deportivo de La Coruña.[26] The club was managed by Frenchman Raynald Denoueix. La Real's strikeforce combined the Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci with Yugoslav international Darko Kovačević. The two were third and fourth top scorer in the league respectively, with 23 and 20 goals.[27] The team also included Dutch international goalkeeper Sander Westerveld and Xabi Alonso in midfield. Alonso was the winner of the 2003 Don Balón award for the best Spanish player in the league, while Kahveci was voted the best foreign player and Denoueix the best manager.[28]
Key moments from that season came when Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid in April 4–2 at the
Real Sociedad were placed in Group D of the 2003–04 Champions League with Juventus, Galatasaray and Olympiacos. The team won two matches, drew three and lost away to Juventus to finish second and advance[30] to the last 16. It was knocked out after losing 1–0 in both games against Lyon, hosting the first game.[31] The 2003–04 La Liga saw a dramatic decline in the club's performance, slipping to 15th out of 20. Their tally of 46 points was only five more than relegated Real Valladolid.[32]
On 9 September 2006, Real Sociedad played its 2,000th La Liga match. That same season, they were relegated from La Liga, finishing 19th and ended a 40-year streak there, their longest ever stay in the top flight. On 9 July 2007, former Welsh international and Fulham manager Chris Coleman was appointed as the new club coach, on the recommendation of former Real Sociedad manager John Toshack, an important board member at the club.[33] Coleman resigned on 16 January 2008.[34]
In the 2012–13 season, Real Sociedad finished in fourth place and qualified for the 2013–14 Champions League for the first time since the 2003–04 season, but in the play-offs, this time. In the play-offs, the club defeated Lyon 2–0 in both legs to qualify for the group stage. Real Sociedad, however, did not make it out of the group, earning just one point.[35]
On 10 November 2014, Real Sociedad announced
Sacristán signed an initial contract until 30 June 2017.[38] His contract was renewed in 2017, but Sacristán was ultimately dismissed after a string of poor performances left that 15th in the table and drawn into a relegation battle.[39] Aiser Garitano became the next head coach, having arrived from Leganés.[40] He lasted only seven months before being dismissed, with the team also in 15th place, with only five wins in his seventeen league matches.[41]
Garitano was succeeded by reserve team manager and local boy Imanol Alguacil on 26 December 2018.[42] During his tenure, he oversaw an attacking style of play combining pace, precision, power, and exuberance.[43]
In 2008, at Real Sociedad's annual general meeting, Iñaki Badiola, at the time the club's president, accused the preceding club management of buying doping substances. In 2013 Badiola gave an extended interview were he accused José Luis Astiazarán's presidency of paying up to €300,000 to Eufemiano Fuentes to dope players on the team between 2001 and 2007.[44][45][46] José Luis Astiazarán, who was Real Sociedad's president between 2001 and 2005, denied the claims.[47]
Real Sociedad won its third Copa del Rey on 3 April 2021, the nearly year-long delayed
Stadium and facility
Real Sociedad plays home fixtures in the Anoeta Stadium. The venue is owned by the San Sebastián Municipal Council.[50]
Name and colours
The club's name means "Royal Society of Football" in Spanish. The club's name was changed to Donostia Club de Futbol in 1931 with the advent of the Second Spanish Republic, but changed back to Real Sociedad after the Spanish Civil War in 1939. The club is nicknamed in Basque as Erreala or the txuri-urdin ("white-blue" due to the colours of their kit). The colours stem from the flag of San Sebastián: a blue canton on a white field.
Fanbase
The Spanish Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (Centre of Sociological Investigations) found out that of 2,473 adults interviewed in 49 provinces in 2007, 1.3% of the Spanish population have more feelings for Real Sociedad than any other club, and 1.5% have more feelings for La Real than any other club apart from their favourite.[51]
In appreciation of the value of the supporters to the club – in the words of club president Jokin Aperribay, "The fans are the soul, the nourishment and the reason for Real Sociedad" – the players each wore the name of a randomly selected club member on their shirt for the match against Sevilla in December 2012.[52]
Honours
Domestic
League
Cup
- Copa del Rey
- Winners (3):
- Supercopa de España
- Winners (1): 1982
Regional competition
- Gipuzkoa Championship[55]
- Winners (6): 1918–19, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1928–29, 1932–33
Notes
- ^ In 1909 it was won by its forerunner, Club Ciclista de San Sebastián
Players
Current squad
- As of 24 January 2024[56]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve team
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Seasons
Recent seasons
Season Div. Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Pts Cup Europe Notes 2013–14 1D 7th 38 16 11 11 62 55 59 Semi-final UCL Group stage 2014–15 1D 12th 38 11 13 14 44 51 46 Round of 16 UEL Play-off round 2015–16 1D 9th 38 13 9 16 45 48 48 Round of 32 2016–17 1D 6th 38 19 7 12 59 53 64 Quarter-final 2017–18 1D 12th 38 14 7 17 66 59 49 Round of 32 UEL Round of 32 2018–19 1D 9th 38 13 11 14 45 46 50 Round of 16 2019–20 1D 6th 38 16 8 14 56 48 56 Winners 2020–21 1D 5th 38 17 11 10 59 38 62 Round of 16 UEL Round of 32 2021–22 1D 6th 38 17 11 10 40 37 62 Quarter-finals UEL Knockout round play-offs 2022–23 1D 4th 38 21 8 9 51 35 71 Quarter-finals UEL Round of 16
Season to season
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- As Real Sociedad de Fútbol
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- 77 seasons in La Liga
- 16 seasons in Segunda División
History in European competitions
Overall record
- Accurate as of 14 February 2024
Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
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European Cup / Champions League (5) | 33 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 31 | 33 | −2 | 33.33 |
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 25.00 |
UEFA Cup / Europa League (13) | 70 | 31 | 17 | 22 | 96 | 89 | +7 | 44.29 |
Total | 107 | 43 | 29 | 35 | 130 | 123 | +7 | 40.19 |
Source: UEFA.com
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal Difference.
Coaching staff
Position | Staff |
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Sporting Director | Roberto Olabe |
Manager | Imanol Alguacil |
Assistant Manager | Mikel Labaka |
First-Team Coach | Ion Ansotegi |
Fitness Coach | David Casamichana Iñigo Almandoz |
Chief Analyst | Ibon Peñagarikano |
Match Analyst | Héctor Ibáñez |
Mental Coach | José Carrascosa |
Goalkeeper Coach | Jon Alemán |
Scout | Mikel Aranburu |
Match delegate | Miguel Díaz |
Kitman | José Luis Sánchez Pablo Marañón Ion Jabat |
Doctor | Javier Barrera |
Physiotherapist | Imanol Soroa Iñaki Ayuela Jon Igarzabal Iñigo Murua |
Nutritionist | Virginia Santesteban |
Rehab fitness coach | Alain Gandiaga |
Delegate | Juantxo Trezet |
Loan Player Manager | Imanol Agirretxe |
Coaches
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Player statistics
Most appearances
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Top scorers
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Notable former players
Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 100 league games and/or have reached international status.
- Juan Gómez
- Gabriel Schürrer
- Dietmar Kühbauer
- Meho Kodro
- Claudio Bravo
- Mark González
- Dalian Atkinson
- Juan Cuyami
- Emilio Nsue
- Antoine Griezmann
- John Aldridge
- Edgaras Jankauskas
- Carlos Vela
- Sander Westerveld
- Mutiu Adepoju
- Bjørn Tore Kvarme
- Martin Ødegaard
- Oceano da Cruz
- Carlos Xavier
- Ricardo Sá Pinto
- Gheorghe Craioveanu
- Valery Karpin
- Dmitri Khokhlov
- Darko Kovačević
- Imanol Agirretxe
- Bittor Alkiza
- Periko Alonso
- Xabi Alonso
- Xabier Prieto
- Mikel Aranburu
- Agustín Aranzábal
- José Araquistáin
- Luis Arconada
- Pedro María Artola
- José Mari Bakero
- Txiki Begiristain
- Paco Bienzobas
- Cholín
- Diego
- Agustín Eizaguirre
- Ignacio Eizaguirre
- Andoni Elizondo
- Epi
- Joseba Etxeberria
- Miguel Ángel Fuentes
- Agustín Gajate
- Marcelino Gálatas
- Gaztelu
- Ion Andoni Goikoetxea
- Alberto Górriz
- Iñigo Idiakez
- Santiago Idígoras
- Silvestre Igoa
- Andoni Imaz
- Juan Antonio Ipiña
- Rafael Iriondo
- José Antonio Irulegui
- Kiriki
- Inaxio Kortabarria
- Juan Antonio Larrañaga
- Mikel Lasa
- Iñigo Martínez
- Aitor López Rekarte
- Luis López Rekarte
- Roberto López Ufarte
- José María Lumbreras
- Julio Olaizola
- David Zurutuza
- Sebastián Ontoria
- Javier de Pedro
- Jesús María Satrústegui
- Silverio
- Pedro Uralde
- Javier Urruticoechea
- Mariano Yurrita
- Domingo Zaldúa
- Jesús María Zamora
- David Silva
- Håkan Mild
- Agne Simonsson
- Alexander Isak
- Nihat Kahveci
- Tayfun Korkut
- Sebastián Abreu
- Lee Chun-soo
Presidents
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See also
- Real Sociedad B – 1st reserve team in Segunda División
- Real Sociedad C – 2nd reserve team in Tercera División
- Real Sociedad cantera – youth system up to 19 years, in leagues including División de Honor Juvenil
- Primera División Femenino
References
- ^ "Anoeta: bienvenido el fútbol en color" [Anoeta: welcome football in color]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). 8 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ https://forvo.com/word/real_sociedad/
- ^ "Real Sociedad". free-elements.com.
- ^ Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad: How La Real's trust in youth is paying off, Alex Bysouth, BBC Sport, 29 December 2020
- ^ a b "Todo empezó en el Club Ciclista San Sebastián" [It all started at the San Sebastián Cycling Club]. as.com (in Spanish). 15 August 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Spain - Cup 1909". RSSSF. 13 January 2000. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Spain - Cups 1910". RSSSF. 13 January 2000. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Spain - Cups 1913". RSSSF. 13 January 2000. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Spain - Cup 1928". RSSSF. 12 February 2001. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Spain 1980/81". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League 1981/82 - History - 1st – UEFA.com". Uefa.com.
- ^ "Performance record of Real Sociedad football Club". contentcreatorz.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-17. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
- ^ "Real Sociedad 1980–1981". free-elements.com.
- ^ "Real Sociedad 1981–1982". free-elements.com.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Copa del Rey 1987". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Copa del Rey 1988". rssf.com. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "BBC – Oxford – Oxford Inspires - John Aldridge". bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Real Sociedad 1989–1990". free-elements.com.
- ^ a b "Spain, Final Tables 1989-1999". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Página web Oficial de la Liga de Fútbol Profesional – Liga de Fútbol Profesional". lfp.es.
- ^ Lowe, Sid (25 February 2021). "Goals, class, a red Ferrari: Aldridge, Richardson and Atkinson at la Real". The Guardian.
- ^ "Real Sociedad 1990–1991". free-elements.com.
- ^ "La Liga Top Scorers – 1997–1998". free-elements.com.
- ^ "Resultados Fútbol y clasificaciones – Bienvenido a Futbolme". futbolme.com.
- ^ "Human Check". soccerpunter.com.
- ^ "La Liga Top Scorers – 2002–2003". free-elements.com.
- ^ "Spain - Footballer of the Year". rssf.com. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Real Sociedad 2002/03". holdingmidfield.com. 26 August 2011.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League 2003/04 - History - Standings – UEFA.com". UEFA.com.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League 2003/04 - History - 1/8. – UEFA.com". Uefa.com.
- ^ "Spanish Primera División Table – ESPN FC". go.com. Archived from the original on 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ^ "Coleman appointed Sociedad boss". 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ "Coleman resigns as Sociedad boss". 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ 2013–14 Uefa Champions league, Group A Uefa.com
- from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Eusebio Sacristan, new Real Sociedad manager". Eusebio Sacristan, new Real Sociedad manager. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Real Sociedad sack coach Sacristan". ESPN.com. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Real hire Asier Garitano". www.realsociedad.eus. October 2016. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ Images, AFP/Getty (26 December 2018). "Real Sociedad sack manager Garitano, name Alguacil in his place". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Imanol Alguacil named new Real Sociedad head coach". Imanol Alguacil named new Real Sociedad head coach. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Spanish football shaken by drug claims made by former Real Sociedad president - Telegraph.co.uk". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ "Former Real Sociedad chief claims Puerto doctor supplied club with drugs ElPais.com". Rob Train. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ "Badiola stands by doping claims Espn.com". Dermot Corrigan. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ "Real Sociedad president claims doping practices - eurosport.com". eurosport.com. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ "Sociedad beat Bilbao to win Copa del Rey". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ "WATCH: Real Sociedad celebrations as they secure Champions League football – 'This is madness'". Football España. 29 May 2023.
- Diario Vasco.
- ^ "Barómetro de Mayo: Avance de Resultados" (PDF) (in Spanish). Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas. May 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Real Sociedad players wear supporters' names on their shirts". Supporters Direct. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
- ^ "TRACK RECORD - The team in white win their 20th Copa trophy. - LIST OF WINNERS OF THE SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP - COPA DE SM EL REY". RFEF.es (RFEF official website). 7 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ Real Federación Española de Fútbol (March 2011). "Historial" (PDF). Revista Oficial de la R.F.E.F. p. 70. Archived from the original (pdf) on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Spain - List of Champions of Norte". RSSSF. 21 January 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "First team". Real Sociedad. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
External links
- Official website (in Spanish, English, Basque, French, and Chinese)
- Real Sociedad at La Liga (in English and Spanish)
- Real Sociedad at UEFA (in English and Spanish)