Iraia Iturregi leaves Athletic Club

Iraia Iturregi has announced her intention leave Athletic Club in order to take on a new professional challenge away from Lezama.

The iconic former Lioness has been part of CD Basconia's coaching staff for the last two seasons and bids farewell after helping our C team achieve a historic promotion to the Segunda Federación.

After more than two decades at Athletic between her time as a player and coach, Iraia has left a lasting legacy at the club. A true pioneer, she became the first woman to manage Athletic Club Women and, two seasons ago, she became the first women to join the coaching staff of one of Athletic's men's teams.

A Zurigorri icon, Iraia made 402 appearances as a player (third most in AC Women history) before leading the Lionesses in 87 top-flight matches from the dugout. Prior to hanging up her boots in 2016, Iturregi had already started working on getting her coaching badges and  worked in recruitment and skills training for our women's under 13s and under-11s sides.

She then went on to coach youth teams and in 2018/19 she became the first team's fitness coach. In January 2021, after a highly successful season with the reserve team, she took over as first team head coach.

Athletic Club would like to thank Iraia for her professionalism, hard work and dedication throughout all the years and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours, both personal and professional.