Footballing World | Coleman realises his foreign dream as Sociedad look abroad to restore pride

By Matthew Day ⋅ June 28, 2007 ⋅ Post a comment

Fulham, Global, La Liga, Premier League

Coleman realises his foreign dream as Sociedad look abroad to restore pride

Even in the middle of his time at Fulham, Chris Coleman admitted a job abroad would be too good to turn down. The lure of joining a select group of British managers who have succeeded on the continent attracted the young manager, and his close relationship with John Toshack has paid dividends; the current Wales [...]

Even in the middle of his time at Fulham, Chris Coleman admitted a job abroad would be too good to turn down. The lure of joining a select group of British managers who have succeeded on the continent attracted the young manager, and his close relationship with John Toshack has paid dividends; the current Wales coach recommended the 37-year-old to Real Sociedad, who were relegated last season for the first time four decades.

Toshack has managed the Basque side three times, and was also a leading contender for the job, but it is believed he turned it down to carry on the rebuilding job with the Welsh national side.

Sociedad president Maria De La Pena said that Coleman’s contract would be “objective-based”, with the “main aim” of immediately restoring the club’s top-flight status, which means that, despite a three-year contract being agreed, failure to earn promotion back to La Liga by next May could allow the club to dispense with the rookie manager.

More immediately, the language barrier will be an issue. However, the club’s former coach Salva Iriarte will work alongside Coleman after being given the post of sporting director. Iriarte is Toshack’s assistant with Wales and will likely act as a translator between Coleman and the players. The likes of Toshack and Bobby Robson have both enjoyed success in Spain, and if Coleman was to follow in their illustrious footsteps, he would become one of the hottest British managers and perhaps earn a promotion to a top club, either in Spain or England.

Coleman’s other chief ambition is to manage Wales, and many believe the former defender will take over from Toshack in a similar role to the one Mark Hughes held before moving on to Blackburn in a few years time. His short-term aim, though, is to reinstate pride at his new club and ensure they return to La Liga, where they have belonged for so many years. Coleman will likely leave the hunt for new players to his assistant Iriarte while he acquaints himself with the Sociedad squad and the rivals also vying for promotion from La Segunda.

Having had no managerial experience prior to taking over at Fulham - and regularly guiding them to mid-table finishes in the Premier League on a minute budget - De La Pena is hopeful he has the ability and expertise to thrive in the second tier. If Coleman leads Sociedad to promotion in 2008, he will have a bite at the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona; the Manchester United and Chelsea of La Liga. With Fulham, Coleman was applauded for his tactical awareness against the top sides, and won many fans when securing a 3-1 win at Old Trafford in 2003 and, in 2006, a brilliant 1-0 victory at home to Chelsea. He also led the Cottagers to triumphs against Liverpool and Arsenal, and guided the team to a ninth-placed finish in the 2003/4 season - the highest ever final position in Fulham’s history.

Now, Coleman has to achieve in a completely different country - but the smart money is on him flourishing and making a name for himself across Europe. The bright young coach is set to become one of the most-wanted managers.

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