Real Sociedad can look forward to Champions League football next season | OneFootball

Following the results this past weekend, Real Sociedad have qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2014.

Even though La Real lost 2-1 against Atlético Madrid, they still sealed their spot in Europe’s top competition, following other results going their way.

The key to Real Sociedad’s success is their stellar defence. La Real boast the third-best defensive record in La Liga, conceding 34 goals in 37 matches. They also have 15 clean sheets, second only to Barcelona.

Another major reason for their brilliance is manager Imanol Alguacil. Alguacil has been at the club since 2011, when he joined as a coach in the youth team. He was at the club for seven years, working his way up, before finally earning his shot at the first-team coach’s job in 2018.

In his first year, the club finished ninth, an improvement on 13th place the season before. Since then, however, the strides have been huge. Over the last four seasons they have finished no lower than sixth, and this season they have finally clinched a Champions League place, for only the second time this decade.

Alguacil has never been at another club as a coach, and if he carries on succeeding at La Real, he may be there a long while yet. Japtej Ghura | GSFN