Welcome home: Arteta, Zidane, Simeone, Valverde, Lampard…

Ernesto Valverde, Zinedine Zidane, Diego Simeone, the list goes on. All are examples of footballers who went on to be coaches of their former clubs.
Mikel Arteta, recently unveiled as the boss at Arsenal, is the latest addition to the list.
After being an assistant of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta has been given a golden opportunity at the Emirates Stadium and will take charge of a team that he once captained.
But who are other successful examples of former players who’ve gone on to take the reigns at their former employers?
Valverde and Cruyff
Ernesto Valverde got first hand experience of Johan Cruyff’s coaching methodologies when he played for the Dutchman between 1988 and 1990, following his arrival from local rivals Espanyol, he then went on to sign for Athletic Club in search of first team football.
He is currently in charge of the Blaugrana for the third successive season, but has yet to win the Champions League.
El Cholo’s double
Diego Simeone is revered as both a player and coach at Atletico Madrid. The Argentine enjoyed two spells with the Rojiblancos as a player.
In the first (1994-97) he was a key figure in the side that won a LaLiga Santander and Copa del Rey double and in the second stint (2003-2005)he helped the club rebuild after a disastrous few seasons.
He is now celebrating his ninth season in Atleti’s dugout, during which he has overseen a golden era, including Champions League final appearances, and a LaLiga Santander title win.
From that volley in Glasgow to three Champions Leagues in a row
When Zidane scored that famous volley in the 2002 Champions League final at Hampden Park, it seemed unlikely that he would one day manage the side.
The Frenchman was a star man for Los Blancos between 2001 and 2006, and his appointment as coach came as a surprise after Rafa Benitez’s dismissal.
All doubts surrounding Zidane’s ability were quashed following three successive Champions League triumphs.
Chelsea legend takes to the dugout
After amassing 429 Premier League matches and 147 goals, coupled with winning titles, FA Cups and a Champions League, it is not difficult to see why Frank Lampard is a Chelsea legend.
He was appointed as the Blues’ coach last summer, and is so far doing a good job of overseeing a transition phase for the West London outfit, who are currently serving a transfer ban.
Solskjaer’s miracle
There are goals that change the life of the scorer and for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the goal in question was on May 26, 1999.
In the legendary Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United when the English team scored two goals in the 90th minute, Solskjaer’s instinctive goal proved to be the winner.
He played for the club between 1996 and 2007 under Sir Alex Ferguson and took over the Red Devils in December 2018, following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Player revolution in Spain
Imanol Alguacil is the at the helm of the Real Sociedad, a team that is garnering praise in LaLiga Santander for their stylish brand of football. Before embarking on a coaching career, he played for the San Sebastian based club between 1991 and 1998.
Javier Calleja’s career as a footballer for Villarreal (1999-2006) was also long, spending seven years as a left winger. Now coach of the first team, initially in 2017, he returned to take the wheel last season, but has received mixed reviews ever since.
Another example is Gaizka Garitano at Athletic Club.
By MARCA.com