Real Sociedad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Real Sociedad

Full name	Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D.
Nickname(s)	Txuri-Urdin (The White and Blues) La Real / Erreala (The Royal)
Founded	7 September 1909; 115 years ago (7 September 1909) as Sociedad de Foot-Ball de San Sebastián
Ground	Reale Arena
Ground Capacity	39,500
President	Jokin Aperribay
Head coach	Imanol Alguacil
League	La Liga
2022–23	La Liga, 4th of 20
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Real Sociedad de Fútbol, usually called Real Sociedad, is a Spanish professional sports club. It is based in the city of Donostia-San Sebastián, in the Basque Country. The club was founded on September 7, 1909. They play their home games at the Anoeta Stadium.

Real Sociedad has won the La Liga title twice, in 1981 and 1982. They also finished second three times. The club has won the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) three times: in 1909, 1987, and 2020. They have a big rivalry with Athletic Bilbao, and their matches are called the Basque derby. Real Sociedad was one of the first teams to join La Liga in 1929. They stayed in the top league for 40 seasons, from 1967 to 2007.

For many years, the club only signed players from the Basque region. But in 1989, they signed Irish player John Aldridge. Today, they have players from the Basque Country, other parts of Spain, and from different countries. Their youth academy has helped develop famous players like Xabi Alonso and Antoine Griezmann.

The club has played in the UEFA Champions League four times. They reached the semi-finals in 1983 and the round of 16 in 2004 and 2024. Besides football, Real Sociedad also has teams for track and field, field hockey, and basque pelota.

Club History

How it All Started

Real Sociedad team in 1912

Real Sociedad squad in the 1930–31 season

Football came to San Sebastián in the early 1900s. Students and workers who had been in Britain brought the game back. In 1904, they started the city's first football club, San Sebastián Recreation Club. This club played in the Copa del Rey in 1905.

In 1907, some players left to form a new team called San Sebastian Football Club. This team played in the 1909 Copa del Rey as Club Ciclista de San Sebastián. They won the final against Club Español de Madrid 3–1. A few months later, on September 7, 1909, these players officially founded the Sociedad de Futbol.

In 1910, King Alfonso XIII gave the club his support. This is why the club became known as Real Sociedad de Fútbol, which means "Royal Society of Football." They reached the Copa del Rey final in 1913 and 1928, but lost both times to FC Barcelona.

Real Sociedad was one of the founding teams of La Liga in 1929. They finished fourth in their first season. In 1931, during the Second Spanish Republic, their name changed to Donostia Club de Futbol. But after the Spanish Civil War in 1939, it changed back to Real Sociedad. The team often moved between the top league (Primera División) and the second league (Segunda División).

The Golden 1980s

Real Sociedad supporters in the streets of San Sebastián

Real Sociedad had a fantastic time in the 1980s. They finished second in La Liga in 1980, just behind Real Madrid. Then, in the 1980–81 season, they won their first ever La Liga title! They beat Real Madrid because they had a better head-to-head record.

The club won the Liga title again the very next season, in 1981–82. This was under the coach Alberto Ormaetxea. They also won the Supercopa de España in 1982 by beating Real Madrid.

In the 1982–83 European Cup, they made it all the way to the semi-finals. They beat teams like Celtic before losing to Hamburger SV.

On June 27, 1987, Real Sociedad won their second Copa del Rey title. They beat Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw. The next season, they reached the Copa del Rey final again but lost to Barcelona. In the 1987–88 La Liga, they were runners-up once more.

John Aldridge was Real Sociedad's first non-Basque player.

For many years, Real Sociedad only signed players from the Basque region. But in 1989, they changed this rule and signed Irish player John Aldridge from Liverpool. He was the club's top scorer in his first season. In 1990, they signed English striker Dalian Atkinson, who became the club's first black player.

In the 1997–98 season, Real Sociedad finished third in La Liga. This was their best finish since 1988.

21st Century Highlights

Mikel Oyarzabal, a key player for Real Sociedad and the Spanish national team.

Xabi Prieto was a top goalscorer for Real Sociedad.

In the 2002–03 La Liga season, Real Sociedad finished as runners-up, just two points behind Real Madrid. This was a great achievement for the club. They had strong players like Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci and Yugoslavian player Darko Kovačević. Xabi Alonso was also a key midfielder.

They qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and made it to the last 16. However, they lost to Lyon. After this, their performance in La Liga dropped, and they finished 15th.

In 2007, Real Sociedad was relegated from La Liga, ending a 40-year stay in the top division. This was their longest time in the top league. They appointed Chris Coleman as coach, but he resigned in 2008.

Antoine Griezmann playing for Real Sociedad in 2012.

In the 2012–13 season, Real Sociedad finished fourth. This meant they qualified for the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League again. They beat Lyon in the play-offs to reach the group stage. However, they only earned one point in the group stage and did not advance.

Deportivo de La Coruña vs. Real Sociedad.

Later, David Moyes became manager in 2014, but he was sacked in 2015. Eusebio Sacristán took over, followed by Aiser Garitano.

On December 26, 2018, Imanol Alguacil became the head coach. Under his leadership, the team plays an exciting, attacking style of football.

Real Sociedad won their third Copa del Rey on April 3, 2021. This final was delayed due to COVID-19. They won against their rivals, Athletic Bilbao, in a Basque derby. In the 2022–23 season, the club finished fourth in La Liga. This qualified them for the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League for the first time in ten years.

Home Stadium

View of the Anoeta Stadium.

Real Sociedad plays its home games at the Anoeta Stadium. The city council of San Sebastián owns this stadium.

Club Name and Colours

The club's full name, "Real Sociedad de Fútbol," means "Royal Society of Football" in Spanish. In 1931, during a time of political change, the name was changed to Donostia Club de Futbol. But after the Spanish Civil War in 1939, it went back to Real Sociedad.

The club is also known as Erreala or the txuri-urdin in Basque. Txuri-urdin means "white-blue" because of their team kit colours. These colours come from the flag of San Sebastián, which has a blue section on a white background.

Fan Support

Real Sociedad has many loyal fans. A study in 2007 found that 1.3% of the Spanish population felt Real Sociedad was their favorite club. The club president, Jokin Aperribay, once said, "The fans are the soul, the nourishment and the reason for Real Sociedad."

To show how much they appreciate their fans, the players wore the name of a randomly chosen club member on their shirts during a match against Sevilla in December 2012.

Club Achievements

National League Titles

• La Liga
  • Winners (2): 1980–81, 1981–82
• Segunda División (Second Division)
  • Winners (3): 1948–49, 1966–67, 2009–10

National Cup Titles

• Copa del Rey (King's Cup)
  • Winners (3): 1909, 1986–87, 2019–20
• Supercopa de España (Spanish Super Cup)
  • Winners (1): 1982

Regional Competition

• Gipuzkoa Championship
  • Winners (6): 1918–19, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1928–29, 1932–33

Team Players

Current Squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Álex Remiro 2 DF Álvaro Odriozola 3 DF Aihen Muñoz 4 MF Martín Zubimendi 5 DF Igor Zubeldia (3rd captain) 6 DF Aritz Elustondo (vice-captain) 7 FW Ander Barrenetxea 8 MF Arsen Zakharyan 9 FW Orri Óskarsson 10 FW Mikel Oyarzabal (captain) 11 FW Sheraldo Becker 12 DF Javi López 13 GK Unai Marrero 14 FW Takefusa Kubo

No. Position Player 15 MF Urko González de Zárate 16 MF Jon Ander Olasagasti 17 FW Sergio Gómez 18 DF Hamari Traoré 19 FW Umar Sadiq 20 DF Jon Pacheco 21 DF Nayef Aguerd (on loan from West Ham United) 22 MF Beñat Turrientes 23 MF Brais Méndez 24 MF Luka Sučić 25 FW Jon Magunazelaia 27 DF Jon Aramburu 28 MF Pablo Marín

Reserve Team

No. Position Player 30 FW Mikel Goti 31 DF Jon Martín 32 GK Aitor Fraga 33 MF Jon Balda 34 DF Iñaki Rupérez 35 GK Egoitz Arana

No. Position Player 37 DF Luken Beitia 40 FW Arkaitz Mariezkurrena 41 FW Alex Marchal 44 MF Mikel Rodríguez 45 FW Ekain Orobengoa

Players on Loan

No. Position Player MF Alberto Dadie (at Mirandés until 30 June 2025) MF Jon Gorrotxategi (at Mirandés until 30 June 2025)

No. Position Player FW Carlos Fernández (at Cádiz until 30 June 2025) FW Jon Karrikaburu (at Racing Santander until 30 June 2025)

Recent Seasons in La Liga

Real Sociedad's finishing positions since the start of the Spanish football league system.

Here's how Real Sociedad has performed in recent seasons in the top Spanish league, La Liga:

Real Sociedad has played 78 seasons in La Liga and 16 seasons in Segunda División.

European Competitions History

Real Sociedad has played in many European tournaments. Here's their overall record:

Source: UEFA.com
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal Difference.

Coaching Staff

Position	Staff
Director of Football	Roberto Olabe
Head Coach	Imanol Alguacil
Assistant Coach	Mikel Labaka
First-Team Coach	Ion Ansotegi
Fitness Coach	David Casamichana Iñigo Almandoz
Chief Analyst	Ibon Peñagarikano
Match Analyst	Héctor Ibáñez
Mental Coach	José Carrascosa
Goalkeeper Coach	Jon Alemán
Scout	Mikel Aranburu
Match delegate	Miguel Díaz
Kitman	José Luis Sánchez Pablo Marañón Ion Jabat
Doctor	Javier Barrera
Physiotherapist	Imanol Soroa Iñaki Ayuela Jon Igarzabal Iñigo Murua
Nutritionist	Virginia Santesteban
Rehab fitness coach	Alain Gandiaga
Delegate	Juantxo Trezet
Loan Player Manager	Imanol Agirretxe

Club Coaches Through the Years

Dates Coach 1918–23 José Berraondo 1923–26 Lippo Hertzka 1926 Luis Ortiz de Urbina 1926–30 Benito Díaz 1930–35 Harry Lowe 1939–41 Gaspar Gurruchaga 1941–42 Sebastián Silveti Patxi Gamborena 1942–51 Benito Díaz 1951–55 José Ignacio Urbieta 1955–60 Salvador Artigas 1960 Joseba Elizondo 1960–62 Baltasar Albéniz 1962 Joseba Elizondo 1962–63 Perico Torres 1963–64 Antonio Barrios 1964–66 Román Galarraga 1966–70 Andoni Elizondo 1970–70 Angel Segurola 1970–72 Andoni Elizondo 1972–74 Rafael Iriondo 1974–76 Andoni Elizondo 1976–78 José Antonio Irulegui 1978–85 Alberto Ormaetxea 1 July 1985 – 8 May 1989 John Toshack 9 May 1989 – 14 January 1991 Marco Antonio Boronat Dates Coach 15 January 1991 – 30 June 1991 Javier Expósito 1 July 1991 – 21 November 1994 John Toshack 22 November 1994 – 27 November 1995 Salva Iriarte 28 November 1995 – 30 June 1997 Javier Irureta 1 July 1997 – 25 October 1999 Bernd Krauss 26 October 1999 – 23 October 2000 Javier Clemente 24 October 2000 – 21 December 2000 Perico Alonso 22 December 2000 – 11 March 2002 John Toshack 12 March 2002 – 30 June 2002 Roberto Olabe 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2004 Raynald Denoueix 1 July 2004 – 30 January 2006 José María Amorrortu 31 January 2006 – 23 March 2006 Gonzalo Arconada 23 March 2006 – 26 October 2006 José Mari Bakero 26 October 2006 – 30 June 2007 Miguel Ángel Lotina 1 July 2007 – 16 January 2008 Chris Coleman 15 January 2008 – 2 April 2008 José Ramón Eizmendi 3 April 2008 – 30 June 2009 Juanma Lillo 1 July 2009 – 30 June 2011 Martín Lasarte 1 July 2011 – 30 June 2013 Philippe Montanier 1 July 2013 – 3 November 2014 Jagoba Arrasate 10 November 2014 – 9 November 2015 David Moyes 9 November 2015 – 19 March 2018 Eusebio 19 March 2018 – 24 May 2018 Imanol Alguacil 24 May 2018 – 26 December 2018 Asier Garitano 26 December 2018 – present Imanol Alguacil

Player Statistics

Most Appearances These players have played the most matches for Real Sociedad: Rank Player Matches 1 Alberto Górriz 599 2 Juan Antonio Larrañaga 589 3 Jesús María Zamora 588 4 Luis Arconada 551 5 Miguel Fuentes 495 6 Roberto López Ufarte 474 7 Agustín Gajate 469 8 Xabi Prieto 463 9 Inaxio Kortabarria 442 10 Mikel Aranburu 427

Top Scorers These players have scored the most goals for Real Sociedad: Rank Player Goals 1 Jesús María Satrústegui 162 2 Roberto López Ufarte 129 3 Cholín 127 4 Sebastián Ontoria 114 5 Paco Bienzobas 107 6 Darko Kovačević 107 7 Pedro Uralde 100 8 Mikel Oyarzabal 98 9 José Mari Bakero 91 10 José Mari Pérez 84

Famous Former Players

This list includes players who have played at least 100 league games or have played for their national team.

Club Presidents

More About Real Sociedad

• Real Sociedad B – This is the club's first reserve team.
• Real Sociedad C – This is the club's second reserve team.
• Real Sociedad cantera – This is the club's youth system, which trains young players.
• Real Sociedad Femenino – This is the club's women's football team.