It is unusual, but Ander Lanbarri (Aranguren, 1981) enjoyed his final match at the helm of Sodupe with the team's meteoric promotion and subsequent return to Tercera Federación. "We had negotiations, and when it seemed like everything was very close and I was awaiting a response from the board, they let time pass, and then I found out they had signed another coach. I am grateful to Sodupe and its board for giving me the opportunity to start my career as a head coach, and I am very happy with how everything concluded. I did my job. I did it very happily and with great pleasure. Now I'm focused on my own path. Whatever comes next will come. These things happen in football, and when one door closes, you have to wait to see if another opens. And so I can continue doing what I love, which is coaching, being with the players, the young lads, and helping them," he summarizes.
Lanbarri took over the team in December when they were in relegation positions, succeeding Ander Lekue, who is now coaching Galdakao: "I hired a physical trainer, Ander Agote, who has been a discovery for me. I also signed Jon Ander Azkuenaga as the goalkeeping coach. We gave the players everything we had. We also sent a message to those who had played less, making them feel important, and when they had to step in, they gave a tremendous amount."
Lanbarri took over the team in December when they were in relegation positions, succeeding Ander Lekue, who is now coaching Galdakao: "I hired a physical trainer, Ander Agote, who has been a discovery for me. I also signed Jon Ander Azkuenaga as the goalkeeping coach. We gave the players everything we had. We also sent a message to those who had played less, making them feel important, and when they had to step in, they gave a tremendous amount."
With an impressive record of seventeen league victories, four draws, and only two defeats, Sodupe climbed to second place, earning a play-off spot, where they secured two more wins against Iru Bat and Anaitasuna. "It was noticeable that, until we arrived, the team was playing on Zalla's pitch. We inaugurated the Hurtado de Saratxo, now with artificial turf, and it's enormous. Much more so than before. The way we play, teams coming from smaller grounds found it quite difficult. That home strength has been evident. And then we slightly changed our style of play, combining different approaches. We've earned important points away from home, and everything has worked well," the successful coach synthesizes.
As a player, Ander Lanbarri was an institution in Biscayan football. He started at six years old and played as a senior footballer for twenty-three years. He played for Zalla, Ecija, Guadalajara, Lemona, Mirandés, Real Unión, Laudio, Guijuelo, and Balmaseda, until the year 2000. "As a coach, I've been doing this for three seasons. And it's very different. I spent two years as the assistant to Alain Arroyo at Urduliz. And this year, solo at Sodupe. Right now, I'm very happy with what we've achieved and I'm waiting. I'm not closing doors. I know it's complicated because practically all the squads are decided. I haven't had any offers. I had one during the season, but I was very clear that I wouldn't negotiate anything until I finished with Sodupe," admits the coach.
He completed his coaching certifications at Urduliz under Alain Arroyo. Lanbarri considers himself a coach who is close to his players and enjoys talking with them. "When I arrived at Sodupe, I told them I would try to make them the best players in the category. I always wanted to be a head coach. I thought it was a good idea to work with Alain for a year or two, seeing from the other side of the fence what it's like to be a coach, doing those internships, and seeing how everything works. It helped me to get my feedback, to know what I wanted to do and what I didn't, and to try to coach as a head coach. How do I define myself as a coach? I like to adapt to the context: the pitch, the climate, the season, the opponent. Knowing how to play and mastering it all," he concludes.
