Real Sociedad’s renowned director of football Roberto Olabe is to leave his post at the end of this season, in a surprise development that will place some of the game’s leading clubs on high alert.
Olabe told Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay of his decision last summer, prior to the transfer window that saw him secure the sale of Mikel Merino to Arsenal and negotiate with Liverpool over Martin Zubimendi’s proposed switch to Anfield, although the midfielder eventually chose to stay.
Despite his contract running until June 2026, Olabe has opted to step aside early; he wanted to give Sociedad sufficient warning and their process to replace him is advanced.
The 57-year-old Spaniard does not yet have a new job, but he is certain to attract significant interest after an impressive spell in San Sebastian.
Olabe was previously considered for positions at Real Madrid and Aston Villa — he remains close to Unai Emery from their period together at Almeria, however Villa eventually appointed Monchi.
Having spent time at the Aspire Academy in Qatar and Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, Olabe embarking upon another project outside of Spain is plausible and he speaks reasonable English.
Olabe, 57, finished playing at Sociedad in 1999 and then coached their youth and senior teams. (Photo: Real Sociedad TV)
While the news will shock many, given Olabe’s affiliation with Sociedad, he is said to feel his work there is complete and that they are on a good path; as shown in Sunday’s victory over Barcelona.
Since returning to Sociedad in 2018 for a second stint at the helm of sporting operations, the former goalkeeper has established himself among the most respected figures in his field.
During Olabe’s tenure, Sociedad collected their first major trophy for more than three decades by lifting the Copa del Rey in 2021 and climbed the La Liga table to become regular top-six finishers.
They ended a 10-year absence from the Champions League in 2023-24 — suffering a last-16 loss versus Paris Saint-Germain — and are enjoying a fifth straight campaign in European competition.
Sociedad have also earned acclaim for trading and talent production under Olabe; their success stories include Alexander Isak, Martin Odegaard, David Silva, Merino, and Zubimendi.
Mikel Merino, Alexander Isak and Martin Odegaard have all completed moves to the Premier League from Real Sociedad (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Isak was sold to Newcastle United for above €70million in 2022, having arrived from Borussia Dortmund for €10m three years earlier. In the same market, Odegaard began a loan that helped convince Arsenal to recruit him from Real Madrid, initially on a temporary basis and then permanent. Silva was 34 but a free agent after his release by Manchester City and went on to register almost 100 appearances.
Merino joined from Newcastle for €12m in 2018 before recently moving to Arsenal, aged 28, for a deal worth approaching €40m. Zubimendi has been targeted by the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool; so far he has resisted the chance to depart the Basque side, however the admiration continues.
Arsenal have done further business with Sociedad — Nacho Monreal and Kieran Tierney swapping north London for San Sebastian — while boss Mikel Arteta represented them in his playing days.
Arteta was actually signed by Olabe in 2004 and Arsenal are looking for a sporting director of their own following Edu’s resignation as sporting director on November 4. He is serving six months’ notice on gardening leave and, for now, his duties have been inherited by assistant Jason Ayto.
Olabe is known by others in England too. He turned out for Salamanca when their coach was Juanma Lillo, who today finds himself assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Olabe finished playing at Sociedad in 1999 and then coached their youth and senior teams. The women’s set-up was launched on his watch in 2004 and he was more heavily involved in that area once he rejoined Sociedad in 2018.
(Top photo: Real Sociedad)
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