During the first fourteen matchdays of the season, Real Sociedad accumulated 26 points, more than a third of the total (71) that the team would eventually earn, playing a key role in securing a spot in the Champions League. In that initial phase of the campaign, Be\u00f1at Labaien (Bergara, 1987) contributed to the team's success as an analyst within Imanol Alguacil\u2019s coaching staff. Later, during the World Cup break, an offer from Japan led him to leave the club.During the first fourteen matchdays of the season, Real Sociedad accumulated 26 points, more than a third of the total (71) that the team would eventually earn, playing a key role in securing a spot in the Champions League. In that initial phase of the campaign, Be\u00f1at Labaien (Bergara, 1987) contributed to the team's success as an analyst within Imanol Alguacil\u2019s coaching staff. Later, during the World Cup break, an offer from Japan led him to leave the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Question:<\/strong> Last December, in the middle of the season, you left your position as an analyst at Real Sociedad and became the new head coach of Tokushima Vortis (Japanese second division). How did this come about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Answer: <\/strong>It all happened very quickly and unexpectedly. At Real, I was working as an analyst, but I\u2019ve always considered myself a coach, and I had this desire to become one for many years. Things happen when they\u2019re meant to happen, and during the World Cup break, in November, I received the option to come to Japan, to Tokushima Vortis. Ideally, this door would have opened at another time, but it happened then, and I had to make a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: <\/strong>Did it take you a long time to make that decision?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>I would say I overthought it. It was difficult, but in this regard, I must thank Roberto Olabe and Imanol Alguacil for their great support. I was clear that I would only leave Real if both of them gave me their consent, and they were both very understanding. They understood me and encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunity. Obviously, I left with a huge sense of sadness for leaving behind a group that is a true privilege and where I was leaving friends I will have for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: <\/strong>I suppose your work at Real Sociedad was also helping you to prepare as a future head coach...<\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>Without a doubt. I always felt that my time as an analyst at Real Sociedad was part of a process. I knew that at some point the opportunity to coach would come, so I didn\u2019t obsess over the idea of being on the bench. I focused on learning and developing, and now I can say that without those five years at the club, I wouldn\u2019t be the coach I am nor would I be working where I am. Keep in mind that I spent several seasons working side by side with people who are world leaders in their field, including Imanol, who has given me everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n