The Basque region has produced its fair share of footballing legends, but none more intriguing than the connection shared by three of England's top managers: Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Xabi Alonso (Chelsea), and Andoni Iraola (Liverpool). It may seem a remarkable coincidence, but these three Prem heavyweights have a secret bond – all were eight-year-old teammates at humble Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea in San Sebastian. For the uninitiated, this tiny club's gravel pitches would be an unlikely cradle for future stars.
It was here that Alonso, Iraola, and Arteta forged lasting friendships and developed their skills alongside other budding talents from the Basque Country. Theirs was no luxurious academy setup – just a small community club operating on a shoestring budget – yet it proved an incubator for footballing giants in waiting.
The influence of the Basque region on the Premier League extends far beyond this triumvirate. Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and sporting director Roberto Olabe both hail from the area, as do Juanma Lillo, Txiki Begiristain, Martin Zubimendi, Julen Lopetegui, and Javi Gracia.
Antiguoko's vice-president, Roberto Montiel, beamed with pride when discussing his club's legacy. He vividly recalled the gravel pitches where Arteta, Iraola, and Alonso grew up, remarking that Antiguoko was fortunate to coincide with such a remarkable generation of talent. According to Montiel, young Iraola was an introverted prodigy, Arteta a born leader even at this tender age, while Alonso displayed exceptional playmaking prowess.
Alonso's journey was always considered one of the most promising in Spanish football. Yet Iraola's path to stardom was less straightforward. He initially doubted his abilities when moving to Bilbao, questioning whether he possessed what it took to succeed at the highest level. However, his former coaches sing his praises for mastering fundamentals and adapting to the demands of top-level competition – qualities that ultimately led him down a distinguished playing career and now a prominent managerial role.