Andoni Elizondo Mendiola (5 August 1932Date of birth is unclear as several sources indicate he was 52 years old when he died in 1986 - 23 February 1986Fallecio Andoni Elizondo (Andoni Elizondo Died); El Mundo Deportivo, 24 February 1986 El testamento de Andoni Elizondo (Andoni Elizondo's will); El Diario Vasco, 2 July 2011 ) was a Spanish football defender and coach.
Playing career A product of the academy system, he played for Real Sociedad between 1952 and 1964.Elizondo as a player; Bdfutbol.com His last two seasons were in the second level after suffering relegation in 1962. Elizondo played a total of 241 matches for Real Sociedad. He played a single game for his national team's B side in 1958 against Portugal.Portugal(B),0-España(B),0; El Mundo Deportivo, 13 April 1958
Coaching career It was Elizondo himself who took Real Sociedad up in his first year in charge as a manager. Elizondo intermittently managed the club over the span of a decade that transformed the club. Under his reign Real Sociedad stabilized in the top division and played in the Uefa cup twice, in his last two seasons.Elizondo as a manager; Bdfutbol.com This was the first time in the club's history it played in a European competition. He also took Real Sociedad to the semifinals of the Copa del Generalísimo twice, in 1969 and 1976. Elizondo coached the team for a total of 234 matches.
He was part of a managing team that in 1979 led the Basque Country in a friendly against Ireland.Cuarenta años después, vuelve la selección de Euskadi (40 years later the Euskadi team is back); El País, 16 August 1979
His brother, Joseba, managed Real sociedad in 1961.Joseba Elizondo as a manager; Bdfutbol.com
Honours
Manager Real Sociedad Segunda División: 1966–67
References
External links