The Xabi Alonso era has begun at Real Madrid...
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Football coach
Beñat Labaien
Professional experience
Experiences at different clubs and in different countries have helped me to become a modern coach with a great ability to adapt.
«I like to provide leadership at the service of the club, based on honesty. I know of no other way than to lead by example, with no excuses.»
Real Madrid C.F.
2025-2026 2011-2014
Real Zaragoza
2024-2025
Al-Wakrah Sc
2024
Tokushima Vortis
2023
Real Sociedad
2018-2023
Leeds United
2017-2018
Elche Cf
2016-2017
CF Fuenlabrada
2015-2016
RFEF Selección Española
2010
Atlético de Madrid
2007-2010
Real Madrid C.F.
Currently
Real Zaragoza
2024-2025
Al-Wakrah Sc
2024
Tokushima Vortis
2023
Real Sociedad
2018-2023
Leeds United
2017-2018
Elche Cf
2016-2017
CF Fuenlabrada
2015-2016
Real Madrid C.F.
2011-2014
RFEF Selección Española
2010
Atlético de Madrid
2007-2010
Philosophy
I love connecting with the people I work with, spending time pursuing an objective and making everyone feel part of the process.
Club
- CULTURE - HISTORY Know where we are.
- INNOVATION Work on the improvement and development of the structure.
- WORK AND DEVELOP YOUNG TALENTS Invest in the process. Make them participants.
- INCREASE THE VALUE OF THE CLUB
Team
- IDENTITY Powerful relationship + Inspiring goal. What defines us? What team are we going to be in adversity?
- COURAGE AND DARING Take risks and feel capable of everything against any opponent.
- WILLINGLESS & AMBITION TO WIN Transform us into a team that deserves to win.
- GROUP UNITY - SENSE OF BELONGING Create something that makes us feel proud of being part of this team.
Player
- HUMAN BEING Understand the player as a whole, with all the things that are involved.
- RESPECT As the base of everything. The player respects you when he feels that is improving with you.
- DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT Believe in the talent and capacities of each player. Respect the process.
- WINNER MIND Enjoy training. Learn to feel comfortable even in uncomfortable situations.
- AIM TO HAVE HIGH LEVEL CONVERSATIONS Requests, feedback, commitment, vulnerability, mistake recognition, etc.
2007 - 2014
First steps
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Working at elite academies, such as Atletico Madrid, Spain age groups and Real Madrid. Fulfilling different roles of head coach, assistant coach and leading the Real Madrid academy’s analysis department.
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
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First role in professional football. I worked with Fernando Morientes for three years as his assistant coach, allowing me to gain a much better understanding of player’s mentality.
2015 - 2017
2017 - 2018
Leeds United
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I was brought by Víctor Orta, to the English football giant that is Leeds United, where I worked with Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom.
Real Sociedad
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Five years as part of the project led by Roberto Olabe. Working alongside Imanol Alguacil has left its mark on me as a coach. We qualified for the Europa League in three consecutive seasons and won the Spanish Cup.
2018 - 2023
2023
Japan
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I became head coach of Tokushima Vortis in the J2 League. I lived a marvellous experience of growth, learning and development in a country and culture that is so different from anything I had experienced before. It gave me the opportunity to feel and experience the importance of being able to adapt and evolve continuously.
Real Madrid
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Together with Xabi Alonso I join the club with the greatest global reach. This experience drives me to grow, improve, and develop at every level within an environment of the highest standards. environment of the highest standards.
2025
About me
Methodology
I love coaching and preparing a team, with a model that is very defined but is in constant evolution. I love dynamic and demanding training sessions, using tools that aid the improvement of the individual player and the team and doing everything possible to take care of even the finest details.
«Be protagonists, go for the opposition, take risks, and be prepared.»
02
Analisys as a fundamental support for development
- Oriented towards action and improvement.
- Detailed and personalized analisys.
- Individual and collective.
- Analisys of our team and the opponent.
- Strategic and detailed preparation of the match plan.
- Recording of all training sessions.
01
Training as the axis
- High intensity and demands.
- Structured and organized.
- Dynamic exercises focused on the development of the game model.
- Tasks adapted to opponent's style.
- Training focused on individual and collective improvement.
03
Technology as a complement to the process
- Video camera.
- Drone.
- Analisys and Editing Software.
- GPS and monitoring tools.
- Data management.
Blog
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