Matarazzo and the derby spirit that has suited Real Sociedad’s foreign coaches | OneFootball

Pellegrino Matarazzo will become Real Sociedad’s eighth foreign coach to contest a league derby at San Mamés on Sunday. According to Diario Vasco, visiting managers have often thrived in this Basque clásico.

The lineage starts with Briton Harry Lowe, Real coach from 1930 to 1935. He delivered the club’s first league win in Bilbao on 5 March 1933, thanks to Chivero and Urtizberea, against an outstanding Athletic side.

John Toshack set the benchmark with four wins there. Highlights include the Copa semi-final on 10 June 1987, settled by Bakero from a Gorriz flick, and a 1-4 league win the following season.

He also won 2-3 in 1988/89 and triumphed again in 2000/01 to secure survival. Real finished with nine after Loren and Xabi Alonso saw red.

Bernd Krauss drew twice. Raynald Denoueix lost 3-0 in 2002/03 and 1-0 the following year, while Martín Lasarte was beaten 2-1 in 2010/11 amid refereeing controversy. Philippe Montanier closed the old San Mamés with a 1-3 win in 2013, and Real later reached the Champions League.

At the new stadium David Moyes drew 1-1 on 28 April 2015 with ten men after a contentious penalty, De la Bella levelling from range. Since then, domestic coaches Eusebio, Asier Garitano and Imanol have all won there. Matarazzo arrives unbeaten in the league, three wins and a draw, plus a Copa victory over Osasuna, making Real January’s second best side on 10 points, yet form rarely dictates derbies at San Mamés.

Source: Diario Vasco