Pamplona (Tuesday, March 26, 2024) – Today, head coach Jagoba Arrasate addressed the media to announce he will not renew his contract with Club Atlético Osasuna at the end of the season. "I have decided not to renew with Osasuna. As you can imagine, it is a tough decision, but I am at peace with myself. I am not as convinced as in previous years, and I can't be happy if I am not fully there. If I am not happy, it is hard for me to perform at my best, and if I can't do that, I can't make the team get the best of them. I think my time has come. I thank everyone, especially (club president) Luis (Sabalza), thank you for everything. (Sporting director) Braulio (Vázquez), what can I say; it's been six years of making each other better," Arrasate said. "As I told them, six years ago, we were worst off; I was coaching in Segunda División, Braulio was managing a team in Segunda, and the president was doing well but leading a team in Segunda. I think we are better off now and have enjoyed all these years."

The rojillo gaffer talked about how these last weeks have been as he decided. "It hasn't been easy. Since the club asked me to renew my contract, I asked for some time to consider it. Some might have seen that season as long, and some have taken advantage of the opportunity to talk about it one way or another. No one is at fault here. I am extremely grateful to everyone. I am at peace with myself, and I asked that we continue to work together for the next nine games. The farewell time will come, and we will go from there. Thanks, eskerrik asko. We are not done yet. We have the game against Almería," he added.

When asked about the reasons, the Berriatua native said, "I wasn't fully there, and it is for different reasons. It has been a tough year, which started with a big disappointment. We wanted to continue where we had left off last year, and as time passed, we realized we couldn't do it and had to make some changes – tactics, our formation, and many other things. Then, you start to think. My number one priority is to finish my time with Osasuna in good standing, and that's why I understand that now is the time. Can I continue? Yes, I could keep going. However, I have to be honest with myself and the club. If I am not fully here after six years, I think this is best for both sides."

"People talk about the planning, transfers, timing… but we didn't even get to that phase. Phase one was when Braulio asked me to continue. We spoke briefly about it, but it didn't go any further. We haven't even talked about players or anything. It's my decision. Not even (assistant coach) Bittor (Alkiza) has tried to convince me because he understands it is my decision and backs me. It's not about persuading me or not. It is personal, and when I talked about it, I knew there wasn't a going back. They want me to continue; they have made their case, but it's not something we will agree on. There isn't even an offer. Braulio asking me to stay was phase one, and we haven't had a phase two. I asked for time, thought about it, I have talked it over with those close to me and this is my final answer. There wasn't anything else, no matter what others might say," Arrasate added.

"We all wanted you to continue," club president Luis Sabalza

Club Atlético Osasuna president Luis Sabalza joined the coach in the press conference. The rojillo president said, "I hope you can excuse me if I need a break, but this is how I feel. As Jagoba said, we have been together for six years; in those six years, he has become one with Osasunismo and myself. What else can I say, Jagoba? I have told you everything. We wanted you to continue, but everyone has to listen to their selves. That's why I will only say one thing: thank you. Thank you, Jagoba, for making us happy all these years."

"We will miss each other," Sporting director Braulio Vázquez

Sporting director Braulio Vázquez also joined the rojillo boss. "I have nothing written down because I would rather talk from the heart. I want to thank him for these six years and everything we have accomplished on the field, like reaching a Cup final. I don't forget the bad times like the 13-game winning less streak, nor what happened in Tarragona when he first arrived. Obviously, it is a bad day at the club, but personally too. We have a WhatsApp group where we will talk about football and life, and now we will only talk about life."

"This is the best coaching staff I have worked with, and I have had eight, nine, or ten. Think about how I feel. I am speaking as a person, not as a sporting director. It is as he said. We will miss each other. I don't see a coach and an assistant coach leaving; I see two friends leaving," Vázquez said.