Bingen Arostegi: “I’ve always considered myself a youth coach”

Bingen Arostegi is now leading Bilbao Athletic at Lezama. The B team’s new head coach oversaw his first training session with the Cubs on Monday morning.

Arostegi is not new to Lezama nor Bilbao Athletic. The coach has held various positions at the Club over the years, including assistant manager for the men’s first team and second team, as well as the women’s first team, helping the Lionesses win the league title in 2015/16. He has also coached different age groups at Lezama.

“I think this a really cool challenge, a huge professional and personal opportunity that I’m looking forward to,” Bingen said at his first press conference as Bilbao Athletic’s new manager.

“I’m a calmer coach now. I have experience in professional football, which I didn’t have before, but I never lost touch with that sense I’ve always had of being a youth coach at heart.

“I think the combination of both can really help a player who is close to making that step into the first team.”

The head coach is clear that his first objective above all else is to “produce players for the first team” and make sure they are ready to step up when needed.

As for the style of play, he said: “There will be a lot of pace, a lot of effort and discipline. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for a young squad to prove itself in a very difficult division.”

Bingen had words of gratitude for long term colleague Kuko Ziganda, with whom he was working at Real Oviedo before returning to Athletic.

“Without him, I probably wouldn’t have this magnificent opportunity to work at the club I’ve always loved.”