Iñaki Arechabaleta is the first of the three candidates for the presidency of Athletic to submit to the MD test in the midst of the electoral struggle for the Ibaigane chair. Beyond the programs, the ideas and some specific names; The Bilbao executive refreshes certain memories as an Atletico supporter. There are many years behind him following the adventures of the lions, many of them as one more fan.
What is your best memory as an Athletic fan?
As a fan, the three Cups (Elche, Castellón and Barça) and the Manchester match. It was a unique experience, in that mythical stadium. I, by the way, arrived by miracle.
Who is your reference as an Athletic player?
The myth is José Angel Iribar Cortajarena, without a doubt. He is Athletic’s player par excellence, although it is true that there are others who have had an impact on me. Surely the last of them is Aritz Aduriz. Another extraordinary, in all aspects, Iraola. Gurpegi, a great person. If I go back years, I’d say Julen Guerrero, Javi Martínez, Goiko, all that champion team from 83-84, Koldo Agirre, Antón Arieta, Txetxu Rojo… If I start to drop names, I’m left alone.
And with which coach do you stay?
We have had very good coaches. I would surely stay with three of those that I have really experienced, which are Heynckes, in his two different stages, Valverde and Marcelo’s first season was tremendous. Marcelino has been a very good coach and so has everyone else. I remember everyone.
Well, you haven’t mentioned Clemente, al Rubio!
Of course I also include him. Javi made us reach glory. Another dream to fulfill from now on would be to win the Cup again for all those children and young people who have not seen the barge. Athletic, as he sees, makes us fall in love every day.
A president of the Athletic?
They are all acquaintances, some with more or less friendship. Perhaps highlighting, for everything that happened in that legislature, Javi Uría, who unfortunately could not complete his stage. He had a great friendship with him.
Athletic’s goal for you?
Two from Aduriz. One the one that put to him to the Barça, the famous of the Chilean, the last goal of him. Another, from Aritz himself, headed Casillas. I was also left with the first one I saw in person, which was Antón Arieta’s in the ’69 final. I’m still seeing it. We can talk about the one from Endika, the other from Arieta…
A match?
The one in Manchester, of course. The final against Juve, with the second game in San Mamés. I very much remember a 5-0 win against Madrid with three goals from Zubiaga and a penalty from Iribar saved on Amancio. The semifinals with Bielsa, the Cup against Sevilla. Little by little Athletic gives us satisfaction.
What did Arechabaleta play?
As a goalkeeper, both in soccer and futsal, until I was 45 years old and from then on I began to discover Arechabaleta, a field player. My defensive midfield position is still remembered by some of those who have played with me (laughing).
But the good doorman of the family was not you!
No. It was my cousin Juanjo Lasuen, mythical in Arenas.
What question have you not been asked in this campaign that you would have liked to be asked?
I think none.
The question that you liked the least?
The repetition of a question. I have no bad questions. The truth is that I enjoy talking about Athletic. I didn’t think I would feel so comfortable.
What about Barkala?
I have respect for him. He seems to me to be a calm, affable man and my relationship with him is good. I think that for president of Athletic, yes, all my characteristics are superior to those of Barkala.
Aren’t you from Bilbao (laughing)?
Not from the center, from Deusto.
And of Uriarte?
His youth and that he has known how to take advantage of a startup.
They say that to be a goalkeeper you have to be crazy, to be president of Athletic too?
You have to be very brave and have a certain degree of unconsciousness. As the event approaches, I realize it more and then there is the issue of responsibility. Look, I’ve had positions of responsibility directing companies with more than 3,500 workers, but this is totally different! This is managing a football club, such a special club that has so much passion, so much enthusiasm and so many people behind it. The only thing I hope is to rise to the occasion.
Was there a row at home when you said you were going to show up?
We had some differences of opinion at the beginning, but then my wife has overturned. She has put in a lot of hours helping me with all the signing things. Both my wife and my children are one hundred percent with me after such a complex beginning.
What did you think of Elizegi’s management?
Approve. I don’t think the grade is remarkably high, but it approves first because of the fact that the years of the pandemic have been very important and complex years. I have also had to manage a communication group in these circumstances and it is complex. It has had too much opposition too, from my point of view. In the end, on the other hand, he has had a commitment and perseverance in carrying out the projects of the animation grandstand and the new statutes.
And what is your opinion about it?
The animation stands were in time and form and could leave. I think he should have left the statutes because he changed the rules in the middle of the game, which is worrying, and with a little more work we would have had better statutes. In any case, congratulate him also for drawing up some statutes that represent an important change.
Do you have a second team? Real is your second team?
No. I have a lot of relationship with a lot of Gipuzkoa fans of the Real and that makes you understand them. It is a Basque team. La Real has to serve as an incentive to improve ourselves, just as I suppose that Athletic will have served Real as an incentive to improve. I would like to get along with everyone. I don’t have a second team. Athletic, Athletic and Athletic.
read also