Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Andoni Elizondo Mendiola | ||
Date of birth | 5 August 1932 | ||
Place of birth | San Sebastián, Spain | ||
Date of death | 23 March 1986 | (aged 53)||
Place of death | San Sebastián, Spain | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1952–1964 | Real Sociedad | 241 | |
Managerial career | |||
1966–1970 | Real Sociedad | ||
1971–1972 | Real Sociedad | ||
1974–1976 | Real Sociedad | ||
1979 | Basque Country | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Andoni Elizondo Mendiola (5 August 1932[1] - 23 February 1986[2][3]) was a Spanish football defender and coach.
A product of the academy system, he played for Real Sociedad between 1952 and 1964.[4] His last two seasons were in the second level after suffering relegation in 1962. Elizondo played a total of 241 matches for Real Sociedad.[3] He played a single game for his national team's B side in 1958 against Portugal.[2][5]
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.[6] 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.[3]
He was part of a managing team that in 1979 led the Basque Country in a friendly against Ireland.[7]
His brother, Joseba, managed Real sociedad in 1961.[8]