Iñigo Idiakez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Idiakez and the second or maternal family name is Barkaiztegi.

Iñigo Idiakez
Idiakez in 2005
Personal information
Full name Iñigo Idiakez Barkaiztegi[1]
Date of birth (1973-11-08) 8 November 1973[1]
Place of birth San Sebastián, Spain
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Positions
Youth career
1989–1992 Real Sociedad
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Real Sociedad B 64 (25)
1992–2002 Real Sociedad 233 (33)
2002–2003 Oviedo 33 (4)
2003–2004 Rayo Vallecano 29 (5)
2004–2006 Derby County 88 (20)
2006–2008 Southampton 35 (2)
2007 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 5 (1)
Total 487 (90)
International career
1995–1996 Spain U21 6 (0)
1996 Spain U23 3 (0)
Managerial career
2010–2011 Euskalduna
2011–2012 Berio
2020–2021 Cultural Leonesa
2022–2023 Cancún
2023 Aston Villa (under-21)
2024 Real Unión
2025 Lleida Esportiu
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up 1996 Spain
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Iñigo Idiakez Barkaiztegi (born 8 November 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or a forward. He is currently a manager.

Beginning his career at Real Sociedad, he appeared in 254 official matches during his tenure over ten La Liga seasons (36 goals scored);[2] in his homeland, he also represented Segunda División clubs Oviedo and Rayo Vallecano. He moved to England in 2004 at the age of 30, where he represented Championship teams Derby County, Southampton and Queens Park Rangers, retiring in 2008.

Idiakez played for Spain at under-21 and under-23 levels. He went into management in 2009, working in the lower leagues in Spain and also holding coaching positions at Leicester City, Derby County, Luton Town and Aston Villa.

Club career

Spain

Idiakez was born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa.[3] He joined local Real Sociedad's youth system in 1989, making his senior debut with the B team where he shared teams with his older brother Imanol.[4][5] He first appeared with the main squad on 8 November 1992 – his 19th birthday – in a 3–0 home win against Cádiz;[6][2] he did not become a regular until 1994–95 despite that early debut, spending nearly two full seasons with the reserves in the Segunda División B.

Subsequently, Idiakez played a further eight La Liga campaigns with the Txuriurdin, going on to appear in more than 250 competitive games.[2] He was a regular substitute for most of his spell and, in 1998–99 and 2000–01, scored a career-best seven league goals.[7] On 28 April 1995, he was on the scoresheet as the hosts beat Athletic Bilbao 5–0 in a Basque derby.[8]

At the end of 2001–02, having finished his contract with Real Sociedad,[9] Idiakez signed with Real Oviedo, who had just been relegated to Segunda División and were in a deep financial crisis.[10] He only spent one year with the Asturias side who finished the season second-bottom, being relegated to the third tier then further demoted to Tercera División because of financial irregularities.[11][12]

Idiakez then moved to Madrid's Rayo Vallecano, also from the second division. Again, his new club ranked 21st and was relegated at the end of the campaign.[13][12]

England

In the summer of 2004, Derby County manager George Burley signed Idiakez up on a free transfer.[14] He immediately adapted to the Championship, being named as the club's Player of the Season in his debut season as they finished in fourth place, but failed to win promotion through the play-offs.[15] He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year,[16] having renewed his contract in April 2005 and later in August after reported advances from Wolverhampton Wanderers.[17]

At Derby, Idiakez played in an advanced position and took most free kicks and corners.[18][19][20][21] In the 2005–06 campaign, under Phil Brown first and Terry Westley after, the team narrowly avoided relegation; he ended his stint at the Pride Park Stadium with 22 competitive goals in 96 matches.[22]

Idiakez was once again signed by Burley on 31 August 2006, moving to Southampton for a fee of around £250,000.[23] In March of the following year, having only made a handful of appearances,[24][25] he joined Queens Park Rangers on loan for a month,[26] scoring once against Leicester City in a 3–1 away win[27] and subsequently returning to St Mary's Stadium.[28]

In the 2006–07 play-offs, on 15 May 2007, Southampton faced Derby County. The tie finished 4–4 on aggregate at extra time then went to a penalty shootout, where Idiakez missed the crucial penalty to help send his former employers through to the final.[29][30]

Southampton released Idiakez at the end of the 2007–08 season, then underwent trials with Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes and Bournemouth,[31]

International career

Idiakez played for Spain at under-21 level,[32] earning his first cap on 6 June 1995 in a 4–0 victory over Armenia held in Granada for the 1996 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.[33] He also participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, featuring three times for the quarter-finalists.[34][35][36]

Additionally, Idiakez appeared in four friendlies for the Basque Country unofficial team, scoring twice.[37]

Coaching career

Idiakez returned to his hometown in 2009, beginning his managerial career with Añorga's youths. He was subsequently in charge of non-league sides SD Euskalduna and Berio also in the Basque Country.[38][39]

In 2011, Idiakez completed his coaching qualifications when he earned the UEFA Pro Licence.[40] A year later, he joined his former Derby and Southampton boss Burley as assistant at Apollon Limassol in the Cypriot First Division, with the pair leaving after only two games.[41]

Idiakez returned to England in 2013, to take up the position of youth development coach at Premier League club Leicester City, working with the under-12 to under-16 age groups. He remained there for three years, before re-joining Derby County as first-team manager;[42] he left the latter only two months later, following the suspension of manager Nigel Pearson.[43]

In September 2017, Idiakez became professional development phase lead coach at League Two's Luton Town.[39] He returned to head-coaching duties on 1 December 2020, with Spanish third-tier Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.[44]

Idiakez then had stints in the Mexican Liga de Expansión MX with Cancún[45] and England with Aston Villa's under-21 team.[46] On 28 December 2023, he went back to Spain by being named manager of Primera Federación side Real Unión,[47] being dismissed the following April.[48]

On 4 March 2025, was appointed at Lleida CF of Segunda Federación.[49] In June, after administrative relegation and with the club on the verge of folding due to severe economic problems, he and the entire squad were released.[50]

Honours

Spain U21

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "Iñigo Idiakez Barkaiztegi". Real Sociedad. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b c Irazusta, Tito (26 July 2015). "Iñigo Idiakez: «Salí mal de la Real, pero aprendí a estar donde me quieren»" [Iñigo Idiakez: "I left Real on the wrong foot, but I learned to be where I am wanted"]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  3. ^ Monge, José Carlos (5 March 2025). "Iñigo Idiakez es el elegido" [Iñigo Idiakez is the chosen one]. Diari Segre (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Imanol Idiakez queda libre para enero" [Imanol Idiakez is free in January] (in Spanish). Fichajes. 6 December 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  5. ^ Iturria, Joseba (17 December 2023). "El recuerdo a Aitor Zabaleta desde el corazón de los hermanos Idiakez" [Remembering Aitor Zabaleta from the heart of the Idiakez brothers]. Naiz (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  6. ^ "3–0: La Real Sociedad superó con claridad al Cádiz" [3–0: Real Sociedad overcame Cádiz easily]. ABC (in Spanish). 9 November 1992. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Íñigo Idiakez" (in Spanish). Historias de Cromos. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  8. ^ Badallo, Óscar (28 May 2020). "25 años del 5–0 al Athletic" [25 anniversary of the 5–0 to Athletic]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Idiakez no renueva y decide marcharse" [Idiakez does not renew and decides to leave]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 20 May 2002. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Idiakez llega con ganas de ascenso" [Idiakez arrives eager for promotion]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 4 September 2002. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  11. ^ "El Oviedo, descendido a Tercera División" [Oviedo, relegated to Tercera División]. El País (in Spanish). 2 August 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  12. ^ a b Mateo Ruiz-Gálvez, Juan José (15 May 2005). "El 'Maestro' del 'Derby'" [The 'Maestro' of 'Derby']. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  13. ^ "El Rayo que se apagó en Salamanca" [Lightning ("Rayo" in English) lost light in Salamanca] (in Spanish). Rayo Herald. 2014. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  14. ^ Watson, Chris (27 June 2017). "Derby County's best signings this century – Rams fans have their say". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Championship review 2004/05". BBC Sport. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Sunderland/Wigan dominate line-up". BBC Sport. 24 April 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Idiakez extends contract at Derby". BBC Sport. 25 August 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  18. ^ Murphy, Dan (3 March 2005). "Hoddle stuck on draws as Reich header saves Derby". The Independent. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Derby 1–0 Plymouth". BBC. 5 March 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  20. ^ Instone, David (7 August 2006). "Derby County 2 Southampton 2: Peschisolido strips gloss off Burley's Pride Park return". The Independent. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Derby County fan Q&A: Mel Morris has done wonders for the club off the field". HITC. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Feature: A recent history of Spanish Rams". Derby County F.C. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Transfer deadline day". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  24. ^ "Southampton 0–0 Derby". BBC Sport. 4 February 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  25. ^ "Southampton 3–2 West Brom". BBC Sport. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  26. ^ "Idiakez seals loan switch to QPR". BBC Sport. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  27. ^ "Leicester 1–3 QPR". BBC Sport. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  28. ^ "Saints recall Idiakez from loan". BBC Sport. 16 April 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  29. ^ Henderson, Charlie (15 May 2007). "Derby secure play-off final berth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  30. ^ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan; Bull, David (2013). All the Saints: A Complete Players' Who's Who of Southampton FC. Southampton: Hagiology Publishing. p. 357. ISBN 978-0-9926-8640-6.
  31. ^ "Idiakez trains with Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  32. ^ a b "Italia ya ganó un Europeo a España en el 1996" [Italy have already won European Championships against Spain in 1996] (in Spanish). Orgullo Bianconero. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  33. ^ "La 'Sub-21' sólo le mete cuatro a Armenia" [The 'Under-21s' can only put four past Armenia]. Mundo Deportivo. 7 June 1995. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  34. ^ Cubero, Cristina (21 July 1996). "Mágico gol de Óscar" [Óscar wonder goal]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  35. ^ Cubero, Cristina (26 July 1996). "Argentina, en el camino" [Argentina, in the way]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  36. ^ Cubero, Cristina (29 July 1996). "Cuartos gafes" [Jinxed last-eight]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  37. ^ Besa, Ramón; Ormazabal, Mikel (23 December 1998). "Las selecciones autonómicas festejan el mejor fútbol" [The autonomous national teams celebrate the best football]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Iñigo Idiakez entrenará a la S.D. Euskalduna" [Iñigo Idiakez will coach S.D. Euskalduna]. Mundo Deportivo. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  39. ^ a b Watson, Chris (11 September 2017). "Former Derby County player and coach Inigo Idiakez takes up new role with Luton Town". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  40. ^ Merchán, Juanjo (30 December 2011). "Ahora los entrenadores son ellos" [They are the managers now]. Noticias de Gipuzkoa (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  41. ^ "El Apollon destituye a Burley e Idiakez tras sólo dos partidos" [Apollon dismiss Burley and Idiakez after only two games]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). 22 September 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  42. ^ "Former Derby County player and coach Inigo Idiakez takes up new role with Luton Town". Leicester City F.C. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  43. ^ "Inigo Idiakez: Derby County coach leaves following Nigel Pearson suspension". BBC Sport. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  44. ^ Arias, Roberto (1 December 2020). "Íñigo Idiakez, nuevo entrenador de la Cultural" [Íñigo Idiakez, new manager of Cultural]. Diario de León (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  45. ^ "Cancún FC nombra a Íñigo Idiákez Barkaiztegi como su nuevo director técnico" [Cancún FC name Íñigo Idiákez Barkaiztegi as their new technical director] (in Spanish). Lado. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  46. ^ "Aston Villa appoint Inigo Idiakez as U21s coach". Aston Villa F.C. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  47. ^ "Iñigo Idiakez, nuevo entrenador del Real Unión Club" [Iñigo Idiakez, new manager of Real Unión Club] (in Spanish). Real Unión. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Iñigo Idiakez no continuará como entrenador del Real Unión" [Iñigo Idiakez will not continue as manager of Real Unión] (in Spanish). Real Unión. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  49. ^ Retamero, Genís (8 March 2025). "Íñigo Idiakez: "El Lleida té una molt bona plantilla i el cos em demanava marxa"" [Íñigo Idiakez: "Lleida have a very good squad and my body was asking me for some action"]. La Mañana (in Catalan). Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  50. ^ López, Ángel (13 June 2025). "El calvario de Idiakez en un Lleida al borde la desaparición: «Algunos jugadores me pedían dinero»" [Idiakez's ordeal at a Lleida on the verge of disappearing: "Some players were asking me for money"]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 March 2026.
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