{
  "id": 16692602,
  "title": "No envy, no secrets: How Spain's Gipuzkoa became football coaching hotbed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/no-envy-no-secrets-how-spains-gipuzkoa-became-football-coaching-hotbed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T02:18:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1564424/no-envy-no-secrets-how-spains-gipuzkoa-became-football-coaching"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The small Basque province of Gipuzkoa, nestled in northern Spain, has emerged as a surprising hotbed for football coaching talent. The region's small size and modest population of around 730,000 have produced 20 percent of the Premier League's coaches. Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea currently have coaches from Gipuzkoa – Andoni Iraola of Liverpool, Xabi Alonso of Chelsea, and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal. Unai Emery, a fourth Premier League coach from the region, will lead Aston Villa against Barcelona in the Champions League next month. The success of Gipuzkoa's coaches can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a strong coaching culture, shared passion for the sport, and a focus on education and self-improvement from a young age. The region's football clubs, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, have historically provided a solid foundation for talent development. Their academies focus on producing players who understand the game deeply and are committed to giving back to their local communities. This culture of high standards and work ethic has been passed down through generations, from the region's outdoor sports traditions to its emphasis on teamwork and club loyalty. With over 500 coaches currently enrolled in Gipuzkoa's coaching school, the pipeline for producing future coaches appears unlikely to dry up. The success of Gipuzkoa's coaches can also be linked to the region's unique cultural identity and shared values. Like the people of Gipuzkoa, their coaching approach is characterized by a strong work ethic, a passion for knowledge, and a desire to constantly improve.",
  "summary": "BARCELONA: Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea clash this week with an unlikely thread linking them – the men in charge all hail from the small Basque province of Gipuzkoa.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "SIMMONS: How Luke Willson became Canada’s busiest – and maybe most-hated – man in football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/simmons-how-luke-willson-became-canadas-busiest-and-maybe-most-hated",
        "published": "2026-10-26T17:02:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}