Iñaki Sáez Ezquerro (born 29 September 1961) is a Spanish former professional footballer and football manager. He is best known for his long association with Real Sociedad as a player and for his work with Spain’s national youth teams, culminating in his tenure as head coach of the senior Spain national team from 2010 to 2012.
Early life and playing career
- Birth: 29 September 1961, San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
- Position: Defender.
- Club career: Sáez spent his entire senior playing career with Real Sociedad, making over 200 La Liga appearances between 1982 and 1994. He contributed to the club’s campaigns during a period when Real Sociedad were competitive in the Spanish top flight. He retired from playing in 1994.
Coaching career
- Early coaching roles: After retirement, Sáez began coaching with Real Sociedad’s youth sides, later managing the club’s reserve team, Real Sociedad B.
- Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) youth teams:
- Spain U16/U17: Head coach from 2003 to 2005.
- Spain U19: Appointed head coach in 2005; guided the team to victory at the 2006 UEFA European Under‑19 Championship.
- Spain U20: Managed the side from 2007 to 2010, winning the 2010 FIFA U‑20 World Cup in Egypt.
- Senior national team: On 10 July 2010, following Vicente del Bosque’s resignation, Sáez was appointed head coach of the Spain senior national team. He led the team at UEFA Euro 2012; after Spain’s quarter‑final defeat to Italy, he was dismissed on 6 September 2012 and replaced by del Bosque.
- Return to youth development: After his senior-team stint, Sáez returned to overseeing Spain’s youth national teams and served in various technical and directorial capacities within the RFEF.
Honours
Player
- No major senior titles recorded during his playing tenure.
Manager
- UEFA European Under‑19 Championship: 2006 (Spain U19)
- FIFA U‑20 World Cup: 2010 (Spain U20)
Additional roles
- Served as a technical director and senior advisor for the Royal Spanish Football Federation, contributing to the development of coaching curricula and youth talent pathways.
References
- Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) official announcements and archives.
- FIFA and UEFA competition records.
- Club records from Real Sociedad.