Mikel Labaka Zurriarain (born 10 August 1980) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He is currently assistant manager of Real Sociedad.
 Labaka with Real Sociedad in 2021 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mikel Labaka Zurriarain | ||
| Date of birth | 10 August 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Azpeitia, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Real Sociedad (assistant) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1996–1997 | Lagun Onak | ||
| 1997–1999 | Real Sociedad | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2002 | Real Sociedad B | 106 | (8) |
| 2002–2011 | Real Sociedad | 173 | (10) |
| 2002–2003 | → Real Unión (loan) | 35 | (1) |
| 2003–2004 | → Ciudad Murcia (loan) | 26 | (2) |
| 2011–2013 | Rayo Vallecano | 23 | (1) |
| Total | 363 | (22) | |
| International career | |||
| 2005–2012 | Basque Country | 8 | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2014–2016 | Real Sociedad B (assistant) | ||
| 2016– | Real Sociedad (assistant) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He totalled 111 La Liga matches and five goals over six seasons, representing Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. He added 111 games and eight goals in the Segunda División, in a 14-year career.
Playing career
editBorn in Azpeitia, Basque Country, Labaka reached Real Sociedad's youth system at the age of 17. After playing three years with the reserves he made his professional debut with Real Unión (Segunda División B) and Ciudad de Murcia (Segunda División), spending one season with each club on loan.[1]
On 24 October 2004, Labaka made his first-team – and La Liga – debut with Real Sociedad, in a 2–1 home win against RCD Mallorca,[2] and finished his first season with 30 games and three goals to help the Txuriurdin to finish in 14th position.[1] He only appeared in 11 league matches in 2006–07 as they suffered relegation for the first time in 40 years, but regained first-choice status the following campaigns.[3]
In August 2011, the 31-year-old Labaka was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Philippe Montanier, and left Real to sign for Rayo Vallecano, recently promoted to the top tier.[4] He retired in June 2013, after two seasons as a backup.[5]
Coaching career
editLabaka was named assistant coach at his main club Real Sociedad on 7 June 2016, after nearly two years in the same capacity with the B side.[6] He remained in the position for more than a decade, working under several managers.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Aniversario del debut de Labaka" [Anniversary of Labaka's debut] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ "De Paula premia a una ofensiva Real Sociedad" [De Paula gives prize to attacking Real Sociedad]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ Isasa, Xabier (25 June 2011). "Decisiva temporada para Aranburu y Labaka" [Decisive season to Aranburu and Labaka]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ "Labaka se convierte en nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano" [Labaka becomes new Rayo Vallecano player]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ "Labaka se retira a los 32 años" [Labaka retires aged 32]. El Correo (in Spanish). 24 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ "Cambios en el staff técnico y auxiliares del primer equipo" [Changes in technical staff and first team assistants] (in Spanish). Real Sociedad. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "La Real Sociedad despide a Asier Garitano y vuelve a recurrir a Imanol Alguacil" [Real Sociedad dismiss Asier Garitano and go to Imanol Alguacil again] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Mercadal, Javier (20 February 2024). "Quiénes son los segundos entrenadores de todos los equipos de LaLiga" [Who are the assistant managers of all the teams in LaLiga] (in Spanish). Relevo. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
External links
edit- Mikel Labaka at BDFutbol
- Mikel Labaka at Soccerway