MADRID, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Real Sociedad began work on Monday to find a big name to become new first team coach after the decision announced on Sunday to sack Jagoba Arrasate.
Arrasate and his assistants, Txema Lumbreras and Bittor Alkiza, were sacked after their first 10 league matches of the season have produced just one win (ironically a magnificent 4-2 triumph against Real Madrid) and three draws to leave the club second from bottom of the BBVA Primera Liga.
Arrasate had been under pressure ever since his side were knocked out of the qualifying round of the Europa League, following a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Russian side Krasnodar, a result which severely dented confidence in the young trainer.
B-team coaches, Asier Santana and Imanol Alguacil will now take over the first team training sessions while the club intensifies its search for a replacement and everything points to a major change in policy.
Arrasate was promoted from being the assistant to former coach Phillipe Montanier, in the summer of the 2013 and the former head of the club's youth system was seen as a cheap option rather than looking for a big name coach to guide Real Sociedad in a season where they played in the Champions League.
Now that policy has suffered a 180 degree change if the names being mentioned in the Basque and Spanish press are to be believed, with former Manchester United and Everton coach, David Moyes among the favorites.
Moyes failed in his brief spell at Old Trafford under difficult circumstances, but his long period at Everton is sufficient guarantee of his talent for a club which has worked with British coaches such as John Toshack and Chris Coleman in the past.
Former Argentina national team coach Alex Sabella has also been mentioned, along with Pepe Mel, who last season coached Betis and West Bromwich Albion, while the club are also keen on German coach Thomas Tuchel, who is doing an excellent job at Mainz.
The 41-year-old Tuchel would fit the bill of being a young coach, who also has experience, but one problem is that Real Sociedad would have to pay hefty compensation to his current club if they wanted to tempt him to move to Spain.
Whoever gets the new job could face a baptism of fire as next weekend Real Sociedad entertain high-flying Atletico Madrid in their Anoeta Stadium.
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