Gordobil appointed coach of Eibar's feeder team ahead of Segunda B campaign
Gordobil takes over from Lakanbra, who is set to occupy a role as a part of SD Eibar's technical staff
Igor Gordobil will coach SD Eibar's feeder team, CD Vitoria, in their maiden campaign in Segunda B after the side clinched promotion last Sunday in Astorga.
Gordobil, who this season managed Segunda B side SD Leioa, replaces Arkaitz Lakanbra, who occupied the CD Vitoria dugout for the past two campaigns and bows out after having guided the side to promotion to Segunda B. Lakanbra is set for a role as part of Eibar's technical staff.
Speaking at a press conference held to unveil details of the latest news relating to the feeder club, Eibar's director of football, Fran Garagarza, referred to the team's promotion as representing a "challenge".
Garagarza noted that Gordobil had coached Eibar youth sides in the past and is a "coach that's part of this club", whilst commenting that the appointment suits the profile the club were seeking to lead CD Vitoria, a club who are set to remain as Eibar's feeder team until 2023 in the wake of a recent extension to this agreement.
In reference to Lakanbra, besides expressing his gratitude for his efforts, Garagarza revealed that the two parties had agreed that, regardless of the outcome of the play-offs, the former Vitoria coach would be joining SD Eibar's technical department.
"This promotion is really significant for the club. It represents a really big challenge. Four years ago, our first team was in Segunda B and we've now managed to get our reserve team competing at this level, which is now a more demanding league with bigger budgets involved".
"It'll be tough to stay in the division, but we'll be going all out to put together the strongest possible team. Our aim is going to be to nurture the talent and to work closely with the first team. In the majority, the team will be made up of players aged under 23, which will enable us to have that seamless relationship with the first team. Of those players that have not been retained, the majority are aged over 23. What we're not going to do is put together a team of players that we can't call upon for the first team".
Meanwhile, it is still to be decided as to where Vitoria will play their home games next term. The plan is for the side to play on a grass pitch in Álava and several options are currently under consideration.
Lakanbra, who took his place alongside Garagarza at the press conference, insisted that he has held a keen interest in working in the club's technical department for some time and referred to the position as "a new challenge".
"I thank the club's hierarchy for the faith they've placed in me during these two years I've spent as Vitoria's coach. I've had two very good years, during which time I've improved immensely. It was a dream of mine to coach a reserve team in Segunda B and to do it with my own club, but something inside me was pulling me towards this new challenge".
In line with the changes announced today by Garagarza, Eibar's feeder team's coaching staff for next season will be as follows:
Coach: Igor Gordobil
Assistant coach: Jon Larreategi.
Goalkeeping coach: Rufino Lekue
Fitness coach: Igor Arteaga
Physio: Izarne Lozano (to be joined by a second physio).
An analyst is also set to join the coaching staff, which will mean that the staff will be made up of similar roles and departments as the first team.
In terms of the playing staff, the following members of last season's CD Vitoria squad have not been released: Imanol Corral, Asier Etxebarria, Diego Rozas, Aitor Ortega, Ximon Aranguren, Óscar Conde, Josué Dorrio and Jorge Lopo.
Meanwhile, the following players, who were out on loan last term, return to the squad: Jon Ander Felipe (goalkeeper), Roger Escoruela, Jon Ander Amelibia and Fran Pastor.
Iñigo Barrenetxea is under contract and is set to join the squad.
The following players are out of contract and will leave the club: Sergio García, Ander Gayoso, Thaylor Lubanzadio, Juanfran Guarnido, Mikel Gurrutxaga and Txemi García.
Garagarza also revealed the status of the players who have been loaned out to LaLiga 1|2|3 teams this term. Pere Milla has extended his deal at Eibar for a further season and will be sent out on loan to a second-tier club. Meanwhile, Unai Elgezabal is under contract for a further two seasons and is also set to be loaned out to a LaLiga 1|2|3 outfit, whilst Jordi Calavera returns to the club as a part of the first-team squad.
In terms of the club's youth team set-up, Garagarza revealed that the following appointments have been made.
Co-ordinator of youth football: Raúl del Pozo
Head of women's football: Ion Zabaleta
Head of methodology: Jon Díaz de Cerio, assisted by Jon Zabala.
Eibar Urko coach: Iban Fagoaga.