ZOOM I Iraia Iturregi in the San Mamés dugout
ZOOM I Iraia Iturregi in the San Mamés dugout
The historic former Lioness became the first female coach to oversee a match from the home dugout at The Cathedral
Real Sociedad won the Basque Derby at San Mamés on a hot Sunday morning in Bilbao. Despite the result, the match left us with many more positive memories. For example, many children came to the stadium with their families for the first time and cheered on the Lionesses throughout the match.
Iraia Iturregi returned to The Cathedral, but this time she did so as a head coach, becoming the first woman in Athletic history to take a place in the iconic dugout.
On the other side of the tunnel, her rival counterpart was Natalia Arroyo. For the first time ever, it was two female coaches who greeted each other before kick-off.
The 2021-22 season sees a record number of female coaches at the helm of the women’s First Division teams, with five in total.
In addition to Iraia Iturregi and Natalia Arroyo, Ana Junyent is in charge at SD Eibar, Sara Monforte is at promoted Villareal CF and Andrea Esteban at Valencia CF.
“Being from my home town, and having the opportunity to be a coach at San Mamés is a dream come true,” Iraia said after the derby. “As a child I could never have imagined it. The Club and the growth of women’s football are giving us these kinds of opportunities.”