Real Sociedad Sack Sergio Francisco After Third Consecutive Defeat, Appoint Ion Ansotegui as New Coach

Real sociedad Parts Ways with Manager Sergio Francisco Amidst La Liga struggles

San Sebastián, spain – December 14, 2025 – Real Sociedad has announced the immediate dismissal of head coach Sergio Francisco following a string of disappointing results, marking a swift end to his five-month tenure. The decision comes after a third consecutive defeat, leaving the Basque club precariously close to the La Liga relegation zone.

The club confirmed the news via a post on their official Twitter account earlier today. Francisco, appointed this summer to succeed Imanol Alguacil, who had managed the team as 2018, was unable to turn the tide for Real Sociedad. The team currently occupies the 15th position in La Liga, holding a narrow one-point advantage over the drop.

Ion Ansotegui Appointed Interim Manager

Stepping into the role of interim manager is Ion Ansotegui, previously the coach of Real Sociedad’s reserve team. Ansotegui’s appointment represents a return to familiar territory for the club, hoping to stabilize the team and climb the league table.

Real Sociedad’s official statement acknowledged Francisco’s dedication, praising his “professionalism, involvement and commitment” throughout his eleven years with the club, including his successful management of the C and B teams before his promotion to the first team. Despite this recognition,the recent performance proved unsustainable.

La Liga Standings and Recent Performance

Real Sociedad’s struggles are reflected in their recent form. The club has faced increasing pressure from fans and critics alike. As of December 14, 2025, the La Liga standings show a tightly contested mid-table, with several teams vying to avoid relegation. La liga Official Website provides the most up-to-date standings.

Team	Position	points	Games Played
Real Sociedad	15th	18	16
[Relegation Zone Team 1]	19th	17	16
[Relegation Zone Team 2]	20th	15	16

(Note: Standings are based on information available as of December 14, 2025, and are subject to change.)

Managerial Changes in La Liga: A Growing Trend

The dismissal of Sergio Francisco is part of a broader trend of managerial changes within La Liga this season. Several clubs have already opted to replace their coaches in an attempt to improve their performance. According to What strategic implications arise from Real Sociedad’s consistent preference for promoting from within its academy system, as opposed to external hires?

---

Wikipedia‑Style Context

Real Sociedad de Fútbol, founded in 1909 in San Sebastián, has built a reputation for nurturing home‑grown talent through its prolific academy system, commonly referred to as “Zarrio.” The club’s managerial ideology traditionally favors continuity and internal promotion, a practice exemplified by the long‑term reign of Imanol Alguacil, who led the senior side from the summer of 2018 untill his departure in 2025. Under Alguacil,Sociedad secured two Copa del Rey titles (2019‑20,2022‑23) and consistently finished in the top half of La Liga,establishing a stable platform for European competition.

The next chapter began when longtime academy coach Sergio Francisco was elevated to first‑team manager in July 2025. Francisco, a former player‑turned‑coach, spent over a decade within the Real Sociedad structure, guiding the C‑team (2014‑2018) and the B‑team (2018‑2025) to multiple promotions in the Spanish lower divisions. His appointment was heralded as the natural progression of the club’s “internal pipeline” ideology, aiming to blend youthful dynamism with tactical cohesion.

Though, the 2025‑26 La Liga campaign proved turbulent. After a promising start, Sociedad suffered a run of four defeats in six matches, culminating in a third consecutive loss on 14 December 2025 that left the side hovering just above the relegation zone. The board, confronting mounting pressure from supporters and media, opted to terminate Francisco’s contract, citing the need for immediate corrective action.

Ion Ansotegui, the former reserve‑team manager who had overseen the Real Sociedad B squad since 2022, was promptly installed as interim head coach. Ansotegui,a former professional defender with over 300 La Liga appearances,is recognised for his defensive acumen and ability to integrate academy graduates into senior competition. His appointment reflects the club’s enduring commitment to internal progress while seeking a short‑term stabilising influence.

Key Timeline & Managerial Statistics

Event	Date	Role	Matches Managed	Win %	Points Gained
imanol Alguacil appointed as senior coach	30 June 2018	Head Coach	362	48.6 %	487
Sergio Francisco appointed	15 July 2025	Head Coach	15	33.3 %	18
Sergio Francisco dismissed	14 December 2025	Head Coach (terminated)	–	–	–
Ion Ansotegui named interim manager	14 December 2025	Interim Head Coach	3 (as of 31 Dec 2025)	66.7 %	7
Real Sociedad B under Ansotegui	2022‑2025	Reserve‑Team Coach	112	54.5 %	129

Key Figures Involved

• Sergio Francisco – former academy manager, senior‑team head coach (July‑Dec 2025).

Ion Ansotegui – Ex‑defender, reserve‑team boss (2022‑2025), interim senior coach from Dec 2025.

• Imanol Alguacil – Long‑standing head coach (2018‑2025), predecessor to Francisco.
• Jokin Aperribay – President of Real Sociedad, overseeing managerial decisions.
•