Arteta, Alonso, and Iraola: The Rise of Antiguoko Alumni

Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, and Andoni Iraola, now managers in the Premier League, began their football journeys at Antiguoko, a small Basque club located in San Sebastian. The three were born within 15 miles of each other and only seven months apart, and their early experiences on the club's old gravel pitch shaped their careers.

Roberto Montiel, a long-serving coach at Antiguoko, reminisced about the challenging conditions the young players faced, including heavy, wet balls and a rough playing surface. Despite these obstacles, the talent of Arteta, Alonso, and Iraola shone through, leading their teams to numerous victories and earning them the nickname the Basque Dream Team.

Antiguoko continues to produce talented players, with over 40 graduates now in top divisions. Montiel emphasized the club's commitment to instilling values such as competitiveness and discipline, which are reflected in the successful careers of Arteta, Alonso, and Iraola as both players and managers.