Imanol de la Sota to coach Bilbao Athletic

Imanol de la Sota will step up to become the head coach of Bilbao Athletic for the forthcoming season, a campaign in which the reserves will compete in the brand-new Primera RFEF.

The coach, who Rafa Alkorta brought back to Lezama in 2019, led the Under-18s to the league title in 2020-21, and they are currently preparing for the Copa de Campeones, a trophy which the club is yet to win.

After two seasons managing Cultural de Durango in the Tercera División, De la Sota first came to Lezama in 2015 to manage the Under-18s and a season later he became Joseba Etxeberria’s assistant at Basconia. He left Lezama to briefly coach SD Eibar Under-18s, but returned with the new project.

Former player and club legend, Carlos Gurpegui, who currently takes specific training sessions at Lezama, will be De la Sota’s assistant coach. In addition to 15 seasons and 393 appearances as a Lion, Gurpegi was also a member of Ernesto Valverde’s backroom staff at Athletic.

Analyst Iñigo Lizarralde, goalkeeping coach Dani Aranzubia and fitness coach Edu Estibariz will continue in their current roles with the reserve team.

Imanol de la Sota’s official media presentation will take place when the Under-18’s season finishes, which depends on their progress in the Copa de Campeones tournament.