Luis Miguel Ramis first stepped onto the LaLiga stage as a player with Real Madrid, later adding a league title to his résumé while wearing the Deportivo La Coruna shirt. Now 56, his journey back to Spain’s premier division has taken a different route—through the coaching ranks. After a ten‑year stint developing talent in Real Madrid’s famed youth system and another decade navigating the lower tiers of Spanish football, Ramis accepted the helm at Osasuna this summer.
“The chance presented itself,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m ready and eager to take on the challenge.” Osasuna, a club that has long been praised for punching above its weight, entered the 2023‑24 season with a clear identity and a respected academy, yet it barely escaped relegation, finishing 17th. The loss of their prized midfielder Victor Muñoz to Liverpool only underscored the need for a fresh approach.
Ramis, however, is not fixated on marquee signings. “I want a squad that operates as a collective, that is organized and balanced,” he explained.
“A solid defensive framework and a shared mentality are essential.” His pre‑season plans revolve around what he describes as a “heavy physical workload,” a pragmatic method intended to ready the players for the grueling campaign ahead. As a former defender, Ramis appreciates the blend of artistry and hard work that modern football demands. He reminisces fondly about sharing the pitch with his old teammate Robert Prosinecki at both Real Madrid and Sevilla, recalling the Croatian’s half‑time habit of lighting a cigarette—a quirk tolerated because of his undeniable brilliance. At Deportivo, Ramis also worked alongside Djalminha, the mercurial Brazilian playmaker whose flair helped the Galician side clinch the league title at the turn of the millennium.
The question of whether Ramis could manage such mavericks arises, but he dismisses the concern. “They were exceptional teammates who inspired with their talent,” he says. “Personal lives were irrelevant; what mattered most was mutual respect in the dressing room.” He acknowledges that the sport has evolved dramatically. “Talent still exists, and star players still emerge, but the physical conditioning of athletes has reached new heights,” Ramis notes.
Modern clubs now boast nutritionists, sports psychologists, and state‑of‑the‑art facilities, all of which have elevated the overall profile of the player. “Coaching has improved too,” he adds. “Today, success requires more than raw ability; it demands discipline, mental strength, and professionalism.” Ramis’s decade at Real Madrid’s academy exposed him to some of the brightest prospects in recent memory, including Martin Ødegaard, who has blossomed into a Premier League stalwart and captain of Arsenal. Ramis recalls that the Norwegian’s raw talent needed only an extra dose of hard work, sacrifice, and a competitive edge to reach his current stature.
“The players who ascend to the highest level do so not merely because of talent, but because of their work ethic, responsibility, and the character they display in crucial moments,” he emphasizes. These principles align neatly with Osasuna’s long‑standing commitment to nurturing home‑grown talent.
A decade ago, the club was among the European elite in terms of minutes given to domestic players. Many academy graduates have cemented places in the first team, a fact that made Ramis an attractive candidate for the job.
“Spending so many years at Real Madrid’s academy taught me how to develop and progress younger players,” he admits. “If we see a youngster ready for first‑team action, we give them the chance to grow and experience top‑flight football.” Nevertheless, Ramis is no longer at La Fábrica; his mission now is to guide Osasuna, the flagship club of Navarre, through its eighth consecutive LaLiga season and to solidify its status in the top tier.
“Every club has its own needs and characteristics,” he says. For Osasuna, the immediate priority is consistency.
“We want to avoid the struggles we faced last season. There will be highs and lows, but we aim for a stable identity and consistent performances.” The task ahead is formidable.
After years of helping others make the leap to elite competition, Ramis now carries the burden of delivering the same progress to his own side. His blend of tactical discipline, emphasis on physical preparation, and belief in the power of youth development could provide the blueprint Osasuna needs to climb out of the relegation zone and re‑establish itself as a steady LaLiga presence. The season will test his philosophy, but the foundation he brings—shaped by Real Madrid’s academy, enriched by experiences across Spain’s footballing landscape—offers a promising start for the Pamplona‑based club.