Aranbarri takes charge at Eibar on one-year deal | OneFootball

Jokin Aranbarri, 41, has been appointed Eibar head coach on a one-year contract, replacing Beñat San José. He will lead their 26/27 project, with Mikel Balenziaga joining his backroom team. It is Aranbarri’s first job in the professional game.

According to as.com, the Gipuzkoan was preferred ahead of other continuity candidates familiar with the club. He previously worked from 2016 to 2024 within Eibar’s academy before taking charge of Bilbao Athletic for the past two seasons.

Balenziaga, formerly Athletic’s captain, began coaching at SD Ugeraga and moved to Lezama last season, serving as Aranbarri’s assistant. The staff will continue to follow the tactical direction of Andoni Azkargorta. Eibar still need a new fitness coach after Gastón Lloveras departed for Vallecas with San José and Iban Fagoaga.

As a player, Aranbarri was a forward who never reached LaLiga’s top tiers, despite prolific spells with clubs such as Gernika. His senior career was spent across Segunda B and Tercera with Anaitasuna, Aurrera de Ondarroa, Barakaldo, Lemona, Sestao River and Arenas, before beginning his coaching path at Unbe.

He started with the Cadete de Honor, then stepped up to CD Vitoria in 2021. After two near misses, his side earned promotion from Tercera Federación at the third attempt, featuring Hodei Arrillaga and Mada, and academy products Markel Arana, Eric Pérez and Iker Aldai, who will return to the first team this summer with their futures uncertain.

Source: as.com