The 2010–11 season was the 89th season in the history of Real Sociedad, a Spanish professional football club based in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa. The club competed in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football, and the Copa del Rey. The season spanned from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.
Club administration and staff
- President: Jokin Aperribay (since 2009)
- Head coach: Martín Lasarte (appointed June 2010)
- Home stadium: Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastián
Season summary
| Competition | Final position / round | Record (W‑D‑L) | Points / outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 6th place | 20‑9‑9 | 69 points |
| Copa del Rey | Eliminated in Round of 32 | – | – |
Real Sociedad finished the league in sixth place, securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League for the following season. Their league campaign yielded 20 wins, 9 draws, and 9 defeats, accumulating 69 points.
Key players
- Carlos Vela – Forward; league top scorer for the club with 12 goals.
- Markeloby – Midfielder; contributed 8 league goals.
- Mikel González – Defender; made the highest number of appearances (38) in La Liga.
Squad
The first‑team squad registered for La Liga included the following players (numbers correspond to the 2010–11 season):
| No. | Pos. | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Diego Álvarez |
| 2 | DF | Mikel Balenziaga |
| 3 | DF | Mikel González |
| 4 | DF | Xabier Etxebarria |
| 5 | DF | David Zurutuza |
| 6 | MF | Markel Susaeta |
| 7 | MF | Mikel Aranburu |
| 8 | MF | Markeloby |
| 9 | FW | Carlos Vela |
| 10 | MF | Igor Gabilondo |
| 11 | FW | John Guidetti (loan) |
| … | … | … (additional squad members) |
Transfers
In
- John Guidetti (loan from Manchester City)
- Carlos Vela (free transfer from Arsenal)
Out
- Dani Güiza (to Getafe)
- Alberto Lopo (to Deportivo La Coruña)
(Only principal transfers are listed; the complete transfer activity includes several additional signings and departures.)
Statistical overview
- League top scorer: Carlos Vela (12 goals)
- Most league appearances: Mikel González (38)
- Clean sheets (goalkeeper): Diego Álvarez (9)
Playing style and tactics
Under Martín Lasarte, Real Sociedad typically employed a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, emphasizing possession and wing play. The team combined young domestic talents such as Markel Susaeta with experienced internationals like Carlos Vela, contributing to a balanced attack and a comparatively solid defensive record.
Post‑season notes
Real Sociedad’s sixth‑place finish marked their best league performance since the 2002–03 season and secured a spot in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. The season is often recalled as a turning point that re‑established the club as a regular contender for European competition.
All information presented is based on established records from the 2010–11 Real Sociedad season.
