According to AS, three Premier League managers—Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, and Andoni Iraola—all hail from the same small club in San Sebastián, Antiguoko.

Behind the Arsenal versus Chelsea match lies a story of two childhood friends. Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta will face each other in the London derby on Sunday (September 6), but behind this London clash lies a remarkable shared history that also involves a third protagonist: Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.

In San Sebastián, near La Concha beach, lies a district known as the "Old Town" with approximately 17,000 residents. There, in a grassroots club called Antiguoko located on Matia Street, several notable players have emerged, including Aritz Aduriz and Martín Zubimendi. The latter has already become a European champion, Premier League champion, and World Cup winner.

However, this club also boasts an almost unprecedented story in sports history. All three—Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, and Andoni Iraola—began playing football here and were in the same youth group. Iraola and Mikel Arteta were both born in 1982 and are the same age, while Alonso is one year older. The three met in the club's youth academy and played together. Now in their 40s, they directly compete as managers of their respective Premier League teams: Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Alonso at Chelsea, and Iraola at Liverpool.

Roberto Montiel, the club's vice president, coached them in their early days and was one of the founders who developed these three football elites. "Initially, we practiced on an asphalt pitch at a seminary. It wasn't even gravel," Montiel recalls. He candidly admits it is "deeply moving" to see them at the pinnacle of the world's top league, adding: "It is a great source of pride and marks an era."

Montiel stated that "all three were excellent from a young age," but noted that "Mikel Arteta was the most impressive." "He wanted to win every match. Even when playing on the beach, he would dribble past everyone and try to win at everything. He was a born winner," Montiel said. The same applies to him now on Arsenal's bench, a trait that has existed since childhood. "At Antiguoko, we emphasized sporting discipline first, then the desire to win and competitive spirit in all our players."

Mikel Arteta possessed this winning mentality from an early age, and this quality has carried through to his coaching career. "Mikel is passionate about football like Pep Guardiola, always thinking about how to improve his players. I know him well, and he is someone who can transmit that passion to his players," Montiel said.

However, Montiel revealed that Mikel Arteta showed signs of becoming a coach from an early age. "When he was playing at Everton, he showed strong interest in coaching. Even after he moved to Arsenal, he came to watch some matches I was directing at Antiguoko and already pointed out my minor mistakes. We talked frequently…he was very interested." Now Mikel Arteta is a Premier League champion and Champions League runner-up. Montiel understands the key to his success well. "He is extremely dedicated and constantly thinks about how to improve his players and how to strengthen his team."

Montiel reflected: "Xabi Alonso was very thin and small as a child, but in his first year of youth football, his body suddenly grew dramatically." "From that point on, he was known for his excellent passing, very organized play, and strong defensive ability," Montiel added. Perhaps the qualities he possessed as a player have helped make him an excellent coach, though he now faces a difficult challenge. "At Chelsea, they give him authority and control, which I don't think he had at Real Madrid," Montiel noted.

Montiel also explained: "When you acquire a manager like Xabi Alonso, you need to give him authority, just as Real Madrid should do with Mourinho now." Roberto Montiel clearly knows Alonso well and spoke about his time at Real Madrid. "In the Spanish Super Cup final, it was already clear that the locker room was no longer behind him. He handled it very gracefully and left the team without any fuss."

"I was truly surprised about Andoni Iraola, as I never thought he would become a coach back then," Montiel said. He also explained: "He was an enviably talented player—playing as a winger made me surprised by his coaching role." "Most coaches come from defensive midfield, attacking midfield, or central midfield positions. Look at Guardiola, Fabregas, or Xabi Alonso," Montiel added.

This season, Iraola is managing a top club for the first time at Liverpool. "Going from Bournemouth to Liverpool requires considerable courage—it's almost like managing Real Madrid," his former coach commented. However, Montiel has great confidence in his former student. "He has strong character, holds his own opinions, and is very brave. I wish him success."

"What distinguishes us from others is the sporting discipline we instill in our players and the competitive spirit everyone demonstrates. Antiguoko's DNA is competitive DNA," Montiel said proudly. Indeed, it is no coincidence that three managers leading three of England's biggest clubs all come from the same small club in San Sebastián, reflecting the DNA that the vice president has championed.

Montiel instilled certain values in them when they were just starting out, and now he watches with pride as all three have reached the pinnacle of English football. "This pride stays with me always. They are as competitive as I am, and my influence must have reached them no matter what," he concluded.

AI翻訳。

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