Gorka Etxeberria

{{Infobox football biography

|embed =

|name = Gorka Etxeberria

|image =

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|caption =

|full_name = Gorka Etxeberria Aldasoro

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|02|26|df=yes}}

|birth_place = San Sebastián, Spain

|death_date =

|death_place =

|currentclub =

|manageryears1 = 2004

|managerclubs1 = Al Khaleej

|manageryears2 = 2012–2013

|managerclubs2 = Salamanca

|manageryears3 = 2013

|managerclubs3 = Atlético CP

|manageryears4 = 2017

|managerclubs4 = Sydney Olympic

|manageryears5 = 2020

|managerclubs5 = Real Unión (caretaker)

}}

Gorka Etxeberria Aldasoro (born 26 February 1972) is a Spanish football manager and director of football.

He managed Salamanca and Real Unión in the Segunda División B, as well as Atlético of the Portuguese Segunda Liga and Sydney Olympic of the National Premier Leagues NSW.

Etxeberria had other roles in football, including as assistant manager at Zaragoza and Girona, and director of football at clubs including Alavés, Salamanca, Unionistas Salamanca and Real Unión.

Career

=Early career=

Born in San Sebastián in the Basque Country, Etxeberria told Marca in 2024: "I was a bad footballer, but instead of developing repudiation I became more in love".{{cite news |last1=Acedo |first1=Diego |title=Gorka Etxeberria: "A los futbolistas les digo que se trabaja para ser, no para estar"|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria: "I tell the footballers that you work to be something permanently, not something temporarily"|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/2024/06/14/666c2d92e2704ecd858b45c4.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Marca |date=14 June 2024 |language=Spanish}} He began coaching in 2004, with Al Khaleej Club in the United Arab Emirates.{{cite news |last1=Lorenzo |first1=J. L. |title=Gorka Etxeberria se marcha a Australia|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria heading to Australia |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/guipuzcoa/20170616/423438299876/gorka-etxeberria-se-marcha-a-australia.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Mundo Deportivo |date=16 June 2017 |language=Spanish}} He was assistant manager to Javier Irureta at La Liga club Real Zaragoza in 2008,{{cite news |last1=Giménez |first1=Paco |title=Gorka Etxeberria: "Irureta nunca se sintió cómodo y lo está pasando muy mal"|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria: "Irureta never felt comfortable and he is going through very bad things" |url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/deportes/gorka_etxeberria_irureta_nunca_sintio_comodo_esta_pasando_muy_mal.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Heraldo de Aragón |date=10 March 2008 |language=Spanish}} and to Javi Salamero at Girona FC in the Segunda División in 2009.{{cite news |title=Salamero dirigió su primer entrenamiento al frente del Girona|trans-title=Salamero led his first training session at the helm of Girona |url=https://www.marca.com/2009/05/19/futbol/equipos/girona/1242755196.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Marca |agency=EFE |date=19 May 2009 |language=Spanish}}

In December 2009, Etxeberria made himself available for the vacant managerial position at Dorchester Town in the Conference South, the sixth tier of the English football league system.{{cite news |title=Dorchester claim Etxeberria wants to be their manager |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8402303.stm |access-date=28 December 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2009}} He was made a consultant and first-team coach while the search for a permanent manager was delayed by legal issues between the club and its former chairman.{{cite news |last1=Capel |first1=Ky |title=Gorka is made first-team coach |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/4820231.gorka-is-made-first-team-coach/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Dorset Echo |date=24 December 2009}} In March 2010, caretaker manager Ashley Vickers was given the job permanently and Etxeberria returned to Spain to become director of football at Deportivo Alavés in the Segunda División B.{{cite news |last1=Capel |first1=Ky |title=Vickers in bid to get deals done |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/5063192.vickers-in-bid-to-get-deals-done/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Dorset Echo |date=16 March 2010}} He resigned from the club from Vitoria-Gasteiz in May 2011, with weeks of his contract remaining.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria renuncia a su puesto como director deportivo del Alavés |url=https://www.deia.eus/futbol/2011/05/25/gorka-etxeberria-renuncia-puesto-director-5546071.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Deia |agency=EFE |date=25 May 2011 |language=Spanish}}

Etxeberria was hired as manager and director at UD Salamanca in June 2012, with the third-tier club being in serious economic problems.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria se hace cargo de las riendas del Salamanca |trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria takes the reins at Salamanca|url=https://www.noticiasdealava.eus/deportes/2012/07/15/gorka-etxeberria-cargo-riendas-salamanca-1703487.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Noticias de Álava |date=15 July 2012 |language=Spanish}} He was dismissed from his coaching position the following 4 March and replaced with B-team manager José María Hernández, as the club was dissolved at the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria, destituido como entrenador de la UDS|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria, dismissed as manager of UDS |url=https://www.lagacetadesalamanca.es/hemeroteca/gorka-etxeberria-destituido-entrenador-uds-KRGS87581 |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=La Gaceta de Salamanca |date=4 March 2013 |language=Spanish}} UDS was succeeded by the corporately related Salamanca CF UDS, and the fan-driven Unionistas de Salamanca CF; in 2019 Etxeberria said that he had spoken to Salamanca's mayor in a failed attempt to ensure there was only one successor.{{cite news |last1=González |first1=Juanjo |title=Gorka Etxeberria: «En 2013 hablé hasta con el alcalde para que solo hubiera un proyecto, ahora es imposible»|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria: "In 2013 I even spoke to the mayor to make sure that there was one project, now it is impossible |url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/salamanca/gorka-etxeberria-2013-20190410162126-nt.html|access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Norte de Castilla |date=10 April 2019 |language=Spanish}}

=Portugal and Australia=

In August 2013, Etxeberria turned down an approach from Caudal Deportivo in Spain's third tier and a youth team from his hometown in order to join Atlético Clube de Portugal in the neighbouring country's Segunda Liga.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria se marcha a entrenar a Portugal|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria heading to manage in Portugal|url=https://www.lagacetadesalamanca.es/hemeroteca/gorka-etxeberria-marcha-entrenar-portugal-FIGS99557 |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=La Gaceta de Salamanca |date=6 August 2013 |language=Portuguese}} Having taken 12 points from 14 games, and with the Lisbon-based club in 19th place, he left on 9 November.{{cite news |last1=Pedro |first1=Luís |title=Gorka Etxeberria deixa comando técnico|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria leaves the managerial helm|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/2a-liga/atletico/noticias/gorka-etxeberria-deixa-comando-tecnico--3524143.html/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=O Jogo |date=9 November 2013 |language=Portuguese}}

After three years as director of CD Hernani in his native Gipuzkoa, Etxeberria headed abroad again in June 2017, on an 18-month deal at Sydney Olympic FC of the second-tier National Premier Leagues NSW. He was sacked on 2 March 2018 as the first dismissal of the season, and replaced by Abbas Saad.{{cite news |title=Olympic part company with Etxeberria |url=https://mens.nplnsw.com.au/2018/03/02/olympic-part-company-etxeberria/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |publisher=National Premier Leagues NSW |date=2 March 2018}} In February 2020, he and Chris Taylor of South Melbourne FC were awarded AU$80,000 in compensation each by a FIFA tribunal, which ruled that they were wrongfully dismissed.{{cite news |last1=Rugari |first1=Vince |last2=Bossi |first2=Dominic |title='I achieved every KPI': FIFA orders two former NSL clubs to pay out sacked coaches |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-achieved-every-kpi-fifa-orders-two-former-nsl-clubs-to-pay-out-sacked-coaches-20200213-p540lo.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=13 February 2020}}

=Return to Spain=

In June 2018, Etxeberria returned to Salamanca as director of Unionistas.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria, nuevo Director de Fútbol de Unionistas CF|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria, new Director of Football of Unionistas CF |url=https://salamancartvaldia.es/noticia/2018-06-29-gorka-etxeberria-nuevo-director-de-futbol-de-unionistas-cf-97050 |access-date=28 December 2024 |publisher=Salamanca RTV al Día |date=29 June 2018 |language=Spanish}} He left in November 2019, with the club second from bottom.{{cite news |last1=González |first1=Juanjo |title=Gorka Etxeberria sale de Unionistas «orgulloso» de su trabajo aunque reconoce «muchos errores»|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria leaves Unionistas "proud" of his work although he recognises "many errors" |url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/salamanca/gorka-etxeberria-sale-20191113134813-nt.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Norte de Castilla |date=13 November 2019 |language=Spanish}} The following January, he was hired on an 18-month deal at Real Unión in his home province.{{cite news |last1=González |first1=Juanjo |title=El exunionista Gorka Etxeberria, nuevo director deportivo del Real Unión de Irún|trans-title=Ex-Unionista Gorka Etxeberria, new sporting director of Real Unión of Irún|url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/salamanca/exunionista-gorka-etxeberria-20200111193405-nt.html?_tcode=amdjdDcx |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Norte de Castilla |date=11 January 2020 |language=Spanish}} On 25 February 2020, the club from Irun sacked Alberto Iturralde and put Etxeberria in caretaker charge as manager.{{cite news |last1=González |first1=Juanjo |title=El ex de Unionistas Gorka Etxeberria toma las riendas del Real Unión tras la destitución de Alberto Iturralde|trans-title=Ex-Unionista Gorka Etxeberria teakes the reins of Real Unión after the dismissal of Alberto Iturralde |url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/salamanca/unionistas-gorka-etxeberria-20200225185605-nt.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Norte de Castilla |date=25 February 2020 |language=Spanish}} In June 2021, with the club promoted to the new Primera Federación and under ownership of Unai Emery's family, he signed a one-year contract extension.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria renueva su contrato con el Real Unión por una temporada |trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria renews his contract with Real Unión for one season|url=https://www.diariovasco.com/bidasoa/irun/gorka-etxeberria-renueva-20210627214753-ntvo.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Diario Vasco |date=27 June 2021 |language=Spanish}} He left at its end.{{cite news |last1=Troyano |first1=Imanol |title=Gorka Etxeberria no seguirá en el Real Unión|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria will not continue at Real Unión|url=https://www.diariovasco.com/deportes/futbol/primera-rfef/gorka-etxeberria-no-seguira-real-union-20220530135027-nt.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Diario Vasco |date=30 May 2022 |language=Spanish}}

Etxeberria was hired in another directorial role at CF Rayo Majadahonda in June 2022.{{cite news |title=El Rayo Majadahonda, nuevo destino de Gorka Etxeberria|trans-title=Rayo Majadahonda, Gorka Etxeberria's new destination |url=https://www.diariovasco.com/bidasoa/irun/rayo-majadahonda-nuevo-20220619211048-ntvo.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Diario Vasco |date=19 June 2022 |language=Spanish}} He lasted only weeks before being replaced by Néstor Susaeta.{{cite news |last1=Antelo |first1=Iván |title=Alfredo Santaelena, nuevo entrenador del Rayo Majadahonda, próximo rival del Deportivo|trans-title=Alfredo Santaelena, new manager of Rayo Majadahonda, Deportivo's next rival|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2022/10/04/alfredo-santaelena-nuevo-entrenador-rayo-majadahonda-proximo-rival-coruneses/00031664893550873837264.htm |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=La Voz de Galicia |date=4 October 2022 |language=Spanish}} In January 2023, he returned to the city of Zaragoza after nearly 15 years away, joining CD Ebro in the same position.{{cite news |title=Gorka Etxeberria firma con el C. D. Ebro|trans-title=Gorka Etxeberria signs with C. D. Ebro |url=https://www.diariovasco.com/deportes/mas-deportes/gorka-etxeberria-firma-20230103185812-nt.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=El Diario Vasco |date=2 January 2023 |language=Spanish}}