Nestled between a row of stark white apartments and a synthetic pitch perched on the rolling hills of Berio in San Sebastian, Antiguoko’s historic training ground holds a special place in the memories of three footballing giants – Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. Roberto Montiel, the club’s long‑time coach and vice‑president, still recalls the exact spot of the old centre circle as he sits in what is now a public park.
He rubs his thumb and forefinger together, trying to summon the feel of the uneven, stone‑covered surface that once served as a proving ground for future stars. "The pitch wasn’t like the modern one up there. It was smaller, made of tiny stones, almost like gravel," Montiel explains.
"The balls were heavier when the ground got wet – you’d slip, slide, and a tumble could leave a nasty scrape." Despite those harsh conditions, the matches played on that humble strip have become the stuff of local legend. Two of the alumni now face each other as managers when Arsenal host Chelsea on Sky Sports this Sunday, a scenario Montiel says still feels extraordinary. "Even then you could see their footballing vision," he adds.
"Trying to thread a pass on a rainy, gravel‑covered field with puddles everywhere was something special to watch. The squads from the ’81 and ’82 generations were simply phenomenal." Arteta and Iraola belonged to the later age group, while Alonso was part of the earlier cohort. Former teammate Álvaro Parra, a close friend of Arteta, describes the team as a "national side of the best local players" that seemed unbeatable.
"I remember beating Real Sociedad 5‑0, beating Athletic Club as well – we swept every league. The side earned the nickname the Basque Dream Team," Parra recalls. Antiguoko continues to churn out talent.
In their modest offices a mile away, near Ondarreta beach, Montiel jokes that the wall of signed shirts from former graduates now stretches beyond the room’s limits, with more than forty top‑division names displayed, Arteta, Alonso and Iraola occupying places of honour. It still amazes everyone that three boys born within fifteen miles of each other in Gipuzkoa – Spain’s smallest province – and only seven months apart, have risen to manage Premier League clubs. "If I really think about it, it’s absolutely crazy that our three friends are now in charge of Premier League sides," Parra says, laughing.
"Sometimes I turn on the TV and think, ‘Oh, it’s Mikel! Oh, it’s Xabi!
What on earth happened?’" adds Mikel Yanguas, another former teammate. Yanguas, who played as a striker alongside Arteta, remembers the latter’s unique qualities even as a child. "He was small but incredibly technical and clever. He played just behind me and was always thinking about his next pass.
I just had to run," Yanguas recalls. He later moved to Barcelona’s La Masia with Arteta, joking that his friend made him look better than he was.
Parra, a former centre‑back, echoes the sentiment: "I just had to pass the ball to Mikel Arteta. Mikel Arteta to Yanguas. Goal." Montiel has a treasure trove of anecdotes from the old gravel pitch, many highlighting Arteta’s early intelligence. One story stands out: during a drop‑ball, Arteta flicked the ball with the outside of his boot and launched a long pass that allowed a teammate to score against Real Sociedad.
Montiel notes that even when Arteta played a year above his age group, he displayed a fierce competitive edge. "He was super‑attentive, interested in everything, and once on the pitch he became a predator," Montiel says. This competitive spirit has become a hallmark of Arteta’s managerial style.
The rivalry between Arteta and his childhood friends extended beyond the field. Montiel remembers Arteta sliding down a hallway in Liverpool, mimicking Jürgen Klinsmann after beating him at PlayStation during a visit while Arteta was at Everton. "Whatever game you played with him, you always lost," Parra adds.
"If you beat him at PlayStation or ping‑pong, he’d get angry and go home. He was extremely competitive." Their friendship endured even after Artura’s move abroad.
After his debut with Paris Saint‑Germain, Arteta called Parra and said, “Pack your suitcase, we’re going to Marbella.” Though no photos of that trip survive, the memory remains vivid. Arteta’s discipline and organization, instilled by his parents, helped him adapt quickly when he joined Barcelona at fifteen. Yanguas, who also showed promise, returned home after a year, while Arteta thrived, learning the language of La Masia and later adapting to life in France, Scotland and England. Reflecting on his upbringing, Arteta told Sky Sports, “Roberto used to tell me every day, ‘You’ll be a professional footballer.
You’ll be one of the best in the country.’ He believed in me more than anyone else. You need someone like that in your life.” Back in Berio, the club has moved uphill from the original gravel field to a modern pitch where an under‑16 side trains under the midday sun. Montiel points out a slight midfielder with excellent technique, noting that the player turned down an offer from Real Sociedad to stay with Antiguoko – a decision that fills the coach with pride.
Real Sociedad and Athletic Club now scout Antiguoko players at ever‑younger ages, but many youngsters stay because of the club’s holistic education. The current session is overseen by Iñigo Iraola, cousin of former Antiguoko star Andoni Iraola, who himself returned as a coach while earning his badges. "The first game I ever watched was here in Berio when Andoni came back with Athletic as an U‑18," Iñigo says.
"From then on he’s been my role model." He remembers Andoni buying him his first pair of Adidas boots on his birthday in San Sebastian, a moment he describes as special. Parra contrasts the personalities of the three greats. "Mikel was the captain, took responsibility.
Andoni was more introverted but possessed incredible ability. He was quiet, polite, a great teammate and very popular." Montiel adds, "When Andoni played wide, he didn’t get as many touches as the central players, but whenever he reached the byline he would beat two or three defenders, deliver a perfect pass and we’d score. He could work wonders with the ball." Andoni’s competitive streak matched Arteta’s, though his temperament was more reserved.
When he moved to Athletic, manager Ernesto Valverde shifted him from right‑winger to full‑back, a change Andoni initially resisted. "He asked, ‘Why are you putting me in defence?’ but Valverde knew he’d become an outstanding full‑back because of his quality and ability to surge forward," Parra explains.
Andoni later captained Athletic, amassing 510 appearances, before turning to management. His cousin praises his understated leadership: "He doesn’t raise his voice; he leads by example and his daily actions have a huge impact on his players." Ignacio Azpilicueta, who played behind Alonso at Antiguoko, jokes that he had the best view in football. He watched Xabi develop his passing range from the defensive line, witnessing the emergence of the power and precision that would define his career. "He was a great ball‑winner, comfortable with both feet, and his passes were always of high quality," Montiel says.
Azpilicueta recalls friends marveling at Alonso’s talent during school tournaments on La Concha beach. Alonso’s passion for the game was evident early on, though few predicted his future stardom. "I don’t remember thinking he’d become a football star," Azpilicueta admits. "He had a good touch but wasn’t the biggest, strongest or quickest.
It took time for his physical development." His breakthrough came in the U‑17 year, when his physical growth matched his footballing intelligence. Parra notes that at that point it was clear Alonso would become a top‑level player, even if nobody could foresee a Champions League triumph.
Azpilicueta also highlights the humility and intelligence that Alonso shared with Arteta and Iraola, traits that have underpinned his success. So how does a tiny club like Antiguoko produce such talent? Besides the scouting prowess of sporting director Óscar Landa, who boasts a 95 percent success rate, the secret lies in continuity and culture.
"We’ve never changed Antiguoko’s DNA," Montiel declares. "Competitive instinct, intensity and sporting discipline are non‑negotiable." Those values echo in Arteta’s own managerial philosophy, where he constantly speaks of sacrifice, discipline, hard work, teamwork and competitiveness. Iñigo Iraola adds that these principles reflect the Basque character – dedication and daily commitment.
General director Gorka Azpeita emphasizes that the club’s impact goes beyond footballing ability. "It’s about the values, the people they become, and how those qualities have helped them reach the top," he says. As Arteta and Alonso prepare to meet 600 miles away in north London, the question of loyalty arises.
"Choosing between them is like picking between Mum and Dad," Azpeita jokes. "A draw would be perfect." The story of Antiguoko – the modest club that nurtured three future Premier League managers – continues to inspire. Its legacy is a testament to the power of community, relentless work ethic and a clear footballing identity that transcends generations.