Jagoba Arrasate on being a teacher, Osasuna and El Sadar

Jagoba Arrasate is one of the most popular managers in Spain at the moment. In charge of an Osasuna team in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and in the top half of the league with some impressive runs, the Basque manager has the country’s eyes on him.

However, the 44-year-old wasn’t always in this special position. He began as a school teacher for primary children, which he’s said helped enlighten him on the mentality required for management. He’s said in the past that both student and player are people who you need to aim to get the best out of.

Relevo interviewed Arrasate to get an insight into both his personality and his tactics.

“Pedagogy for me is a way of life,” he said. In response to whether he had always wanted to be a coach or a teacher, Arrasate answered, “No kid wants to be a coach, kids only want to be players. It was clear to me that I wanted to be a teacher… after finishing my career as a semi-professional footballer and seeing where my ceiling was, at 27 or 28 years of age I acquired my coaching license and took the step, beginning with my managing my local team.”

Arrasate was asked if it took him a long time to find his voice as a coach. “Discussions with my assistant are crucial. We talk permanently… behind the scenes there’s a lot of analysis, studying, and images. This changes when you speak to the player, you can’t transmit your doubts or internal debates.”

When the symbiosis between the team of Osasuna and the people of Pamplona was brought up, Arrasate gave a passionate response. His tactics have become known for demanding high-pressing energy from his players and oppressing opponents.

“The players like what we propose, and [the fans at] El Sadar love this type of football; when there’s a corner or a throw-in, there’s always a celebration. All this makes us horny, like running to press even if you know you might not win the ball, but you could force a throw-in and the crowd will react as if we had just taken the lead.”

GSFN | Nicolás Antúnez de Mayolo

More European Football News