Arteta, Alonso, and Iraola from Basque club share Premier League connections
BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 1:01 PM
Last updated Jul 1, 2026
Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola, and Xabi Alonso, current managers in the Premier League, began their football journeys at Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea in the Basque Country. This modest club, founded in 1982 and known for producing talent, stands in contrast to the wealth of top-flight football. Arteta is entering his seventh season at Arsenal after winning the title, while Alonso recently started at Chelsea, and Iraola is taking the reins at Liverpool. Together, they highlight the influence of Basque football in England's top leagues.
- •Arteta, Alonso, and Iraola played together at Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea.
- •Arteta is beginning his seventh season as Arsenal's manager.
- •Alonso has recently started his role as Chelsea manager.
- •Iraola is set to begin his managerial tenure at Liverpool.
- •Basque football continues to influence the Premier League.
- 1:01 PMBBC Sport — The small Basque club that produced Arteta, Alonso and Iraola
"The Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool managers all began their football journeys in the Basque region
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