Beñat San José: One year on and thriving at the Eibar helm
A year after replacing Joseba Etxeberria, San José has transformed Eibar's fortunes with his attacking philosophy and tactical flexibility.
The Basque boss has quietly built something special at Ipurua since his appointment last February, turning potential relegation fears into mid-table stability with an eye on the promotion spots.
From global journeyman to hometown hero
When Eibar appointed Beñat San José on February 18, 2025, eyebrows were raised. The club had just sacked Joseba Etxeberria – their first managerial dismissal in 15 years – and turned to a coach with zero professional experience in Spanish football. Despite his extensive global CV, many wondered if the Donostia native could deliver the goods back on home soil.
Fast forward 12 months and those doubters have been well and truly mugged off. San José’s numbers speak for themselves:
- 41 league matches managed
- 15 wins, 15 draws, 11 defeats
- 60 points accumulated (playoff-worthy form across a full season)
- 5 consecutive home wins at Ipurua
- Unbeaten away from home in the second half of the current campaign
Mission accomplished… and then some
San José’s initial brief was straightforward – secure Eibar’s safety in the Segunda División. Not only did he achieve this with minimal drama, but he made an absolute barnstormer of a start, going unbeaten in his first 10 matches and losing just twice in his opening 15 games.
This season began positively too, though a dodgy patch on the road had some fans questioning his position towards the end of 2025. Those concerns have since evaporated like a pint in the Spanish sun, with the team finding remarkable consistency both home and away.
Tactical blueprint
The gaffer has primarily deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, characterized by:
- Aggressive high pressing, sometimes employing man-marking across the pitch
- A mix of patient build-up and direct attacking play
- Innovative use of full-backs in central positions
- Double pivot with two number 10s operating ahead of them
After weathering a difficult few months, San José has steadied the ship and positioned Eibar comfortably in mid-table – equidistant from both the promotion playoffs and the relegation trapdoor. His attacking philosophy has won over the Ipurua faithful, and the team looks to be on the up and up.