Jagoba Arrasate has returned as head coach of CA Osasuna. The Basque manager signed a contract on Tuesday that ties him to the Pamplona-based club until 2029, taking on the challenge of turning around a difficult sporting situation that sees the team 16th in La Liga with just 8 points from eight games.
Arrasate, who previously managed the first team for six seasons until 2024, explained his decision to return was based on a deep personal connection. "I feel that Osasuna needs me and that I can help Osasuna," the coach stated at his presentation. He added that after two months preparing and regaining energy, a call from sporting director José Antonio 'Cata' Prieto last Sunday accelerated his comeback. "In life you have to be grateful and brave," he said.
The project and current context
The new coach denied being a 'firefighter' and stressed the club has offered him the chance to lead a medium-term project, with the full support of president Luis Sabalza and Cata. His immediate objective is survival and a mental recovery for the squad, before building something solid. The task is urgent. Osasuna enters the international break following a heavy 5-2 defeat to Real Betis, a result that is part of a five-match winless run featuring four losses and one draw.
Arrasate acknowledged he faces a tough scenario, with a long injury list. He is confident, however, that performances will improve as these players return. He also highlighted that 60 to 70 percent of the squad already knows his methods, which will help implant his tactical identity from training, though he admitted some aspects of the work will be different and require adaptation.
Reinforcements and first challenge
Among the additions that could help, the manager mentioned Darko Brasanac, a player who, he explained, had offers but chose to return to a club he knows well. He described him as a demanding, professional and highly motivated footballer. The first test for the new project arrives this Saturday, with the visit of 15th-placed Racing Santander to El Sadar. Arrasate said he still needs to gather information on the opponent and that his first contact with the squad will take place tomorrow.
The coach wants to reconnect the fans with the stadium and also focused on work with the academy, praising the modernisation of the Tajonar facilities. He insisted that improving the team's mental aspect is a priority, something that can unlock tactical performance. Osasuna, with Ante Budimir as top scorer this season on 6 goals, urgently needs points to move away from the relegation places. The next fixture on the schedule is precisely against Racing, a direct duel in the lower part of the standings. The team aims to break the poor run and take the first step of the Arrasate era with a home victory.
First reported at Marca
