Sociedad Deportiva Leioa announced this Wednesday that Josu Juste, a player for the team in Tercera RFEF until this past season, will be the new coach of the blue-and-red squad until 2028, taking over from Jon Castrillo. This decision has surprised many fans, as the until-now forward for the Sarriena team only has experience coaching lower-league teams. He began his coaching career at the Lagun Artea School, achieving promotions with Cadete Lagun, Cadete C, and Juvenil B. Furthermore, this season he secured the Juvenil A team's best-ever historical ranking in División de Honor.
The departure of Castrillo, who spent five seasons with the Leioa club, two and a half years at the helm of the first team, had been known since early May. This season, the team was just 90 minutes away from reaching Segunda RFEF. After a one-goal advantage in the first leg of the promotion play-off final against Atlético Albacete, a tough two-goal defeat at the Carlos Belmonte prevented Castrillo's team from sealing the deal. To attempt to repeat this feat, the team, presided over by Margarita Landeta, has opted for a homegrown player.
In addition to his role in team tactics, Juste has an extensive playing career. Developed in Leioa's youth ranks, he signed for Athletic's Juvenil A in 2018, where he was promoted to Basconia a year later. Between 2020 and 2024, he played for Sestao River and Portugalete. Finally, in 2024, he returned to his hometown team. This season, he played 21 matches and scored 6 goals.
The coach from Leioa will have a special debut, as the first match he will manage, during the pre-season period, will be against Athletic at Sarriena on July 18th at 7:30 PM.
The coach from Leioa will have a special debut, as the first match he will manage, during the pre-season period, will be against Athletic at Sarriena on July 18th at 7:30 PM. It will be a great opportunity to showcase his qualities off the pitch, which are unknown to a large part of the fanbase.
