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Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad logo.svg
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 Sergio Francisco
League La Liga
2022–23 La Liga, 4th of 20
Third colours

Real Sociedad de Fútbol, often called Real Sociedad, is a professional sports club from Donostia / San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain. It was started on September 7, 1909. The team plays its home games at the Anoeta Stadium.

Real Sociedad has won the La Liga title twice, in the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons. They also finished second in 1979–80, 1987–88, and 2002–03. The club has won the Copa del Rey three times: in 1909, 1987, and 2020. They have a big rivalry with Athletic Bilbao, playing in what is known as 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. This changed in 1989 when they signed Irish player John Aldridge. Even today, many players are from the Basque Country, but the team also has players from other parts of Spain and from other countries. Their youth academy has helped develop famous players like Xabi Alonso and Antoine Griezmann, who both won the World Cup.

The club has played in the UEFA Champions League five times. In the 1981–82 season, they lost in the first round. The next season, they made it to the semi-finals. In 2003–04, they reached the round of 16. In 2013–14, they finished last in their group. Most recently, in the 2023–24 season, they reached the round of 16 but lost to PSG.

Besides football, Real Sociedad also has teams for other sports. These include track and field, field hockey, and basque pelota.

Club History and Achievements

How Real Sociedad Started

Real Sociedad 1912
Real Sociedad team in 1912

Football came to San Sebastián in the early 1900s. Students and workers who had been in Britain brought the sport back with them. In 1904, they created 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 player named George McGuinness scored 6 goals in that tournament.

A few months after this win, the players started a new club called Sociedad de Futbol on September 7, 1909. In 1910, King Alfonso XIII gave the club his support. This is when the club became known as Real Sociedad de Fútbol, which means "Royal Society of Football."

Early Years in La Liga

REAL 1931
Real Sociedad squad in the 1930–31 league season

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, the club's name changed to Donostia Club de Futbol. After the Spanish Civil War ended in 1939, it changed back to Real Sociedad.

For many years, the team often moved between the top league (Primera División) and the second league (Segunda División). In the 1940s, they were relegated and promoted seven times! Interestingly, the famous sculptor Eduardo Chillida was the team's goalkeeper during this time, until an injury ended his football career.

The Golden Era of the 1980s

Real Sociedad had a very successful period in the 1980s. In the 1979–80 season, they finished second in La Liga, just one point behind Real Madrid.

The club won its first ever La Liga title in the 1980–81 season. They tied with Real Madrid on points, but Real Sociedad won because they had a better head-to-head record against Madrid. This victory allowed them to play in the 1981–82 European Cup, where they were knocked out early.

Real sociedad jarraitzaileak 0002
Real Sociedad supporters in San Sebastián

The team won the La Liga title again the very next season, in 1981–82. This time, they beat Barcelona to the title. The manager during these successful years was Alberto Ormaetxea. In the 1982–83 European Cup, they reached the semi-finals, losing to Hamburger SV. Real Sociedad also won the Supercopa de España in 1982, beating Real Madrid.

In 1987, Real Sociedad won its first Copa del Rey title. They beat Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout after the game ended in 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 season, they finished second in the league.

New Players and Continued Success

John Aldridge
The Republic of Ireland international John Aldridge was Real Sociedad's first non-Basque player, and was the club's top scorer during both of his seasons from 1989 to 1991

For many years, Real Sociedad only signed players from the Basque region. This changed in 1989 when they signed Irish player John Aldridge from Liverpool. Aldridge was the club's top scorer in his first season. In 1990, they signed 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. This strong performance allowed them to play in the 1998–99 UEFA Cup, where they reached the third round.

Real Sociedad in the 21st Century

Real Sociedad - Red Bull Salzburgo 60 (39408619355) (cropped)
Mikel Oyarzabal, a key Real Sociedad player and Spanish national team member.
Real Sociedad - Red Bull Salzburgo 26 (39594403074) (cropped)
Xabi Prieto was a top goalscorer for Real Sociedad in the 21st century.

In the 2002–03 La Liga season, Real Sociedad finished second, just two points behind Real Madrid. This was their best finish since 1988. The team was managed by Raynald Denoueix from France. Key players included strikers Nihat Kahveci and Darko Kovačević, goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, and midfielder Xabi Alonso. Alonso was named the best Spanish player in the league that season.

A big moment that season was when Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4–2 at home. They were in first place until the second-to-last game, when they lost to Celta de Vigo. This meant Real Madrid won the title. However, finishing second allowed Real Sociedad to play in the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League. They made it to the last 16 before losing to Lyon.

After this successful season, the club's performance dropped, and they finished 15th in the league in 2003–04. In 2006–07, Real Sociedad was relegated from La Liga, ending their 40-year stay in the top division. They returned to La Liga for the 2010–11 season.

Ballesteros Griezmann
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. They beat Lyon in the play-offs to reach the group stage, but they only earned one point in their group.

In November 2014, David Moyes became the new manager, but he was replaced by Eusebio Sacristán a year later. Sacristán was later dismissed, and Asier Garitano took over, but he also lasted only seven months.

On December 26, 2018, Imanol Alguacil, who used to manage the reserve team, became the head coach. Under his leadership, the team played an exciting, attacking style of football.

Real Sociedad won its third Copa del Rey on April 3, 2021. This final was delayed for almost a year 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, their first time in ten years. The 2024–25 season saw Real Sociedad finish 11th in La Liga and reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Home Stadium

Anoeta estadioa 31, Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Euskal Herria
View of the Anoeta Stadium.

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

Team Name and Colours

The club's full name, "Real Sociedad de Fútbol," means "Royal Society of Football" in Spanish. During the Second Spanish Republic in 1931, the name was changed to Donostia Club de Futbol, but it went back to Real Sociedad after the Spanish Civil War in 1939.

The team is often called Erreala or the txuri-urdin in Basque. Txuri-urdin means "white-blue," which are the colours of their uniform. These colours come from the flag of San Sebastián, which has a blue section on a white background.

Fan Support

A study in 2007 found that 1.3% of people in Spain felt Real Sociedad was their favourite club. Another 1.5% liked Real Sociedad more than any other club, besides their absolute favourite.

The club truly values its supporters. In December 2012, to show how important fans are, the players wore the names of randomly chosen club members on their shirts for a match against Sevilla. The club president, Jokin Aperribay, said, "The fans are the soul, the nourishment and the reason for Real Sociedad."

Club Trophies

Domestic Competitions

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

Cup Competitions

Regional Competitions

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

Players

Current Squad

No. Position Player
1 Spain GK Álex Remiro
2 Spain DF Álvaro Odriozola
3 Spain DF Aihen Muñoz
5 Spain DF Igor Zubeldia (3rd captain)
6 Spain DF Aritz Elustondo (vice-captain)
7 Spain FW Ander Barrenetxea
8 Russia MF Arsen Zakharyan
9 Iceland FW Orri Óskarsson
10 Spain FW Mikel Oyarzabal (captain)
11 Suriname FW Sheraldo Becker
12 Spain DF Javi López
13 Spain GK Unai Marrero
14 Japan FW Takefusa Kubo
17 Spain FW Sergio Gómez
No. Position Player
18 Mali DF Hamari Traoré
19 Venezuela DF Jon Aramburu
20 Spain DF Jon Pacheco
22 Spain MF Beñat Turrientes
23 Spain MF Brais Méndez
24 Croatia MF Luka Sučić
28 Spain MF Pablo Marín
30 Spain FW Mikel Goti
31 Spain DF Jon Martín
Spain MF Jon Gorrotxategi
Spain MF Urko González de Zárate
Spain FW Carlos Fernández
Spain FW Jon Karrikaburu
Nigeria FW Umar Sadiq

Reserve Team

No. Position Player
32 Spain GK Aitor Fraga
33 Spain MF Jon Balda
34 Spain DF Iñaki Rupérez
35 Spain GK Egoitz Arana
37 Spain DF Luken Beitia
40 Spain FW Arkaitz Mariezkurrena
No. Position Player
41 Spain FW Alex Marchal
43 Spain FW Dani Díaz
44 Spain MF Mikel Rodríguez
45 Spain FW Ekain Orobengoa
Spain MF Alberto Dadie

Team Performance Over the Years

Recent Seasons in La Liga

Real Sociedad League Performance
Real Sociedad's finishing positions since the Spanish football league system began.
Season Div. Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Pts Cup Europe Notes
2013–14 1D 7th 38 16 11 11 62 55 59 Semi-final UCL Group stage
2014–15 1D 12th 38 11 13 14 44 51 46 Round of 16 UEL Play-off round
2015–16 1D 9th 38 13 9 16 45 48 48 Round of 32
2016–17 1D 6th 38 19 7 12 59 53 64 Quarter-final
2017–18 1D 12th 38 14 7 17 66 59 49 Round of 32 UEL Round of 32
2018–19 1D 9th 38 13 11 14 45 46 50 Round of 16
2019–20 1D 6th 38 16 8 14 56 48 56 Winners
2020–21 1D 5th 38 17 11 10 59 38 62 Round of 16 UEL Round of 32
2021–22 1D 6th 38 17 11 10 40 37 62 Quarter-finals UEL Knockout round play-offs
2022–23 1D 4th 38 21 8 9 51 35 71 Quarter-finals UEL Round of 16
2023–24 1D 6th 38 16 12 10 51 39 60 Semi-final UCL Round of 16
2024–25 1D 11th 38 13 7 18 35 46 46 Semi-final UEL Round of 16

Real Sociedad has played 79 seasons in La Liga and 16 seasons in Segunda División.

European Competition Record

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

Competition Pld W D L GF GA GD Win%
European Cup / Champions League (5) &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.&&&&&033 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&031.&&&&&031 &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.&&&&&033 −2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.33000033.33
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1) &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 +2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025.00
UEFA Cup / Europa League (13) &&&&&&&&&&&&&070.&&&&&070 &&&&&&&&&&&&&031.&&&&&031 &&&&&&&&&&&&&017.&&&&&017 &&&&&&&&&&&&&022.&&&&&022 &&&&&&&&&&&&&096.&&&&&096 &&&&&&&&&&&&&089.&&&&&089 +7 &&&&&&&&&&&&&044.29000044.29
Total &&&&&&&&&&&&0107.&&&&&0107 &&&&&&&&&&&&&043.&&&&&043 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.&&&&&029 &&&&&&&&&&&&&035.&&&&&035 &&&&&&&&&&&&0130.&&&&&0130 &&&&&&&&&&&&0123.&&&&&0123 +7 &&&&&&&&&&&&&040.19000040.19

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 and Managers

Current Coaching Staff

Position Staff
Director of football Spain Roberto Olabe
Head coach Spain Sergio Francisco
Assistant coach Spain Iosu Rivas
Spain Felipe Sánchez Mateos
Spain Xabier Ruiz Ocenda
Fitness coach Spain David Casamichana
Spain Iñigo Almandoz
Chief analyst Spain Jose Rodriguez
Match analyst Spain Héctor Ibáñez
Mental coach Spain Imanol Ibarrondo
Goalkeeper coach Spain Jon Alemán
Scout Spain Mikel Aranburu
Match delegate Spain Miguel Díaz
Kitman Spain José Luis Sánchez
Spain Pablo Marañón
Spain Ion Jabat
Doctor Spain Xabi Valencia
Physiotherapist Spain Imanol Soroa
Spain Iñaki Ayuela
Spain Jon Igarzabal
Spain Iñigo Murua
Nutritionist Spain Natalia Ibáñez
Rehab fitness coach Spain Alain Gandiaga
Delegate Spain Juantxo Trezet
Loan player manager Spain Gorka Larrea

Recent Coaches

  • Imanol Alguacil (December 2018 – May 2025)
  • Asier Garitano (May 2018 – December 2018)
  • Eusebio (November 2015 – March 2018)
  • David Moyes (November 2014 – November 2015)
  • Jagoba Arrasate (July 2013 – November 2014)
  • Philippe Montanier (July 2011 – June 2013)
  • Martín Lasarte (July 2009 – June 2011)
  • Juanma Lillo (April 2008 – June 2009)
  • Chris Coleman (July 2007 – January 2008)
  • Miguel Ángel Lotina (October 2006 – June 2007)
  • José Mari Bakero (March 2006 – October 2006)
  • Raynald Denoueix (July 2002 – June 2004)
  • The current head coach is Sergio Francisco, who started in May 2025.

Player Statistics

Most Appearances for the Club

Rank Player Matches
1 Spain Alberto Górriz 599
2 Spain Juan Antonio Larrañaga 589
3 Spain Jesús María Zamora 588
4 Spain Luis Arconada 551
5 Spain Xabi Prieto 529
6 Spain Miguel Fuentes 495
7 Spain Roberto López Ufarte 474
8 Spain Agustín Gajate 469
9 Spain Inaxio Kortabarria 442
10 Spain Mikel Aranburu 427

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Player Goals
1 Spain Jesús María Satrústegui 162
2 Spain Roberto López Ufarte 129
3 Spain Cholín 127
4 Spain Mikel Oyarzabal 115
5 Spain Sebastián Ontoria 114
6 Spain Paco Bienzobas 107
7 Serbia Darko Kovačević 107
8 Spain Pedro Uralde 100
9 Spain José Mari Bakero 91
10 Spain José Mari Pérez 84

Famous Former Players

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

Club Presidents

Period President
1909–1912 Adolfo Sáenz
1912–1915 Enrique Pardiñas
1915–1917 Antonio Vega de Seoane
1917–1918 Xabier Peña
1918–1919 Mariano Lacort
1919–1921 Camilo Rodríguez
1921–1922 José Gaytán de Ayala
1922–1924 Ramón Machimbarrena
1924–1927 Antonio Vega de Seoane
1927–1929 Luis Pradera
1929–1930 Vicente Prado
1930–1932 Florentino Azqueta
1932–1935 Javier Peña
1935–1937 José María Gaztaminza
1937–1942 Francisco Molíns
1942–1945 Pedro Chillida
1945–1954 Felipe de Arteche
1954–1956 José María Gaztaminza
1956–1960 Emilio de Zulueta
1960–1962 Agustín Ciriza
1962–1967 Antonio Vega de Seoane
1967–1983 José Luis Orbegozo
1983–1992 Iñaki Alkiza
1992–2001 Luis Uranga
2001–2005 José Luis Astiazarán
2005–2007 Miguel Ángel Fuentes
2007 María de la Peña
2007–2008 Juan Larzábal
2008 Iñaki Badiola
2008–present Jokin Aperribay

More About Real Sociedad

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Real Sociedad de Fútbol para niños

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