Imanol Idiakez

Coaching career Idiakez returned to Real Sociedad B after retiring, being appointed manager in the summer of 2008, relegated from the third division in his first season but winning promotion in the second. In March 2011, he signed with Polideportivo Ejido, being in charge for eight matches and eventually leading the team to safety.

In June 2011, Idiakez joined Guijuelo, moving the following campaign to Real Unión and Toledo on 3 July 2013, always in the third tier. After taking Lleida Esportiu to the promotion play-offs in the same level in 2016, he moved abroad for the first time in his entire career, signing for two years at AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot First Division.

Back to Spain, Idiakez was appointed manager of second division club Real Zaragoza on 18 June 2018, being sacked on 21 October. Shortly after, he replaced compatriot Andoni Iraola at the helm of his former side AEK.

Idiakez joined Villarreal's staff under Unai Emery in July 2020. He returned to head coaching duties on 6 June 2022, taking over from Mehdi Nafti at second-tier Leganés and being dismissed in April 2023.

On 1 July 2023, Idiakez signed for the Primera Federación's Deportivo de La Coruña. He achieved promotion in his debut campaign on a return to the professional leagues four years later, but was fired on 28 October 2024.

Following a third spell at AEK Larnaca, Idiakez returned to Spain on 22 April 2026, as Cádiz's third manager of the second-division season. After narrowly avoiding relegation, he left by mutual consent on 11 August four days before the start of the new campaign.

Managerial statistics

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Honours Manager AEK Larnaca Cypriot Cup: 2017–18