Zigor Aranalde Sarasola (born 28 February 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Playing career Early years Born in Ibarra, Gipuzkoa, Aranalde began his career at lowly CD Hernani, going on to spend eight of his nine professional seasons in his country in the Segunda División.El futbolista olvidado (The forgotten footballer); El País, 18 November 2007
In 1996–97, he was first choice at Sevilla FC in La Liga, but the Andalusians finished third-bottom so they were relegated.¿Qué pasó con Zigor Aranalde? (What happened to Zigor Aranalde?); Estadio Deportivo, 13 August 2017
England Aranalde joined Football League Second Division club Walsall on a two-year contract, just before the start of 2000–01.Walsall sign Spaniard; BBC Sport, 10 August 2000 He spent just under five seasons at the Bescot Stadium, winning promotion via the play-off final in his first year and being a regular member until he was surprisingly released by manager Paul Merson, in March 2005; he moved on to Sheffield Wednesday immediately following his release, but was sent off in only his second game for the side and never appeared for them again.Owls not contesting Aranalde card; BBC Sport, 5 April 2005
In the summer of 2005, Aranalde signed for Carlisle United,Carlisle sign Spaniard Aranalde; BBC Sport, 5 July 2005 who went on to win the championship and promote from League Two. He scored five goals during the campaign, and was part of a squad which included two other former Walsall players, striker Karl Hawley and future Preston North End manager Paul Simpson; on 1 October, he netted Bristol Rovers' 5000th ever goal in a 1–3 loss, in his own net.Carlisle 1–3 Bristol Rovers; BBC Sport, 1 October 2005
Coaching career On 16 May 2008, it was announced that Aranalde was being released from Carlisle alongside Paul Arnison and Grant Carson.Ward releases three at Carlisle; BBC Sport, 16 May 2008 Two years later, after playing some amateur football in his country,La Gineta está a punto de cerrar la contratación de Zigor Aranalde (La Gineta about to close Zigor Aranalde deal); El Digital Castilla-La Mancha, 16 June 2009 he returned to England in April 2010 when he was named chief scout at Brighton & Hove Albion in League One.Brighton appoint Zigor Aranalde as new chief scout; BBC Sport, 14 April 2010 He subsequently held the same position at West Bromwich Albion, later being part of the coaching staff of Albacete.Coaching staff confirmed; Watford FC, 23 January 2018
Aranalde was named assistant manager at Premier League team Watford in January 2018, following the appointment of his compatriot Javi Gracia. Both were fired on 8 September 2019,Watford fired head coach Javi Gracia amid fears Spaniard had 'gone flat'; The Daily Telegraph, 8 September 2019 continuing to work together at Valencia CF,El Valencia destituye a Javi Gracia, el entrenador que quiso irse en octubre y se va siete meses tarde (Valencia dismiss Javi Gracia, the manager who wanted to go in October and leaves seven months later); El País, 3 May 2021 Al Sadd SCEx-Blues: Former Carlisle United star Zigor Aranalde now assistant boss at Qatar club Al Sadd; News and Star, 31 March 2022 and Leeds United.Leeds confirm Javi Gracia’s backroom staff as head coach’s visa approved; The Athletic, 24 February 2023
Honours Walsall Football League Second Division play-offs: 2001
Carlisle United Football League Two: 2005–06 Football League Trophy runner-up: 2005–06
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