Iker Muniain Confirms San Lorenzo Contact as He Starts Salamanca Coaching Role

Iker Muniain, the former Athletic Bilbao and San Lorenzo midfielder, has confirmed that he was in contact with San Lorenzo about becoming their head coach before he was officially presented as the new manager of Salamanca in Spain’s Segunda Federación. Speaking at his introductory press conference on July 27, 2026, Muniain acknowledged the interest from the Argentine club but made clear that his full focus is now on the project in Salamanca.

Muniain, 33, ended his playing career at San Lorenzo earlier this year and had been linked with the vacant coaching position at the Boedo club after the departure of Damián Ayude. The opportunity did not materialise, partly because Muniain did not yet have the required coaching licence to manage in Argentina’s Primera División. Instead, he accepted the offer from Salamanca, a club that competes in the fourth tier of Spanish football.

Confirmed Contact with San Lorenzo

During the press conference, Muniain was straightforward about the discussions with San Lorenzo. “It is true that there was contact between San Lorenzo and myself,” he said. “As everyone knows, San Lorenzo was my last club as a player, and I have huge affection and appreciation for them. I have a very close relationship with the people who run the club, so the situation came about like this: San Lorenzo had a need because they were left without a coach, and in that need, there were contacts. But here I am now.”

He stressed that no formal agreement was ever reached and that the negotiations never progressed to a signed contract. “For contracts to happen, a series of circumstances and characteristics have to come together for that signature to be made. Today I am here. That there were contacts, there were. These are normal situations that happen in every transfer market. I have taken it with complete normality and naturalness. But I am 100% focused on what lies ahead and on the first decision I made, which is to come here to Salamanca.”

Why the San Lorenzo Move Fell Through

The primary obstacle for Muniain’s appointment at San Lorenzo was his lack of the mandatory coaching licence for Argentina’s top flight. Argentine regulations require head coaches in the Primera División to hold a specific qualification, which Muniain had not yet obtained. While he had been a player at San Lorenzo until recently, the step into management would have required additional paperwork and time. The club ultimately moved on to other candidates, and Muniain opted for the Salamanca opportunity.

Salamanca, a historic club in Spanish football, is currently rebuilding in the Segunda Federación after financial and structural difficulties. Muniain’s appointment is part of a broader restructuring plan.

Full Focus on Salamanca and Promotion Ambition

When asked about his objectives with Salamanca, Muniain was clear. “The main objective is to be promoted. We come with that illusion, but to achieve it, the immediate thing is to face each match as if it were the last we are going to play. This opportunity in Salamanca awakens a huge interest in me.”

He described the club’s project as one that required a reorganisation, and that the role suited him. “The club wanted a restructuring, and it fit me. Since we signed, we have worked as a team, studying different profiles of players who fit the idea we want to develop in the team.”

Muniain also outlined his tactical philosophy. “I like associative football, and in defence I want us to be a very intense team. We know the people we have brought in, but we have to get going and from there we will try to convince the players of the idea. We will try to play for ourselves to achieve the objectives, but also for the people, who are eager to see Salamanca play.”

Key Facts

What This Means for Football Fans

For followers of both Spanish and Argentine football, Muniain’s move marks the start of his coaching career after a distinguished playing career that included over 500 appearances for Athletic Bilbao and a brief but impactful stint at San Lorenzo. The confirmation of contact with San Lorenzo adds a layer of what‑if for fans of the Argentine club, who had hoped to see a club legend return as manager. For Salamanca supporters, Muniain represents a fresh approach with a clear ambition to climb the Spanish football pyramid. The story also highlights the regulatory hurdles that former players face when transitioning into management in different countries.

Source: Ole – Iker Muniain habló sobre su fallida llegada a San Lorenzo en su presentación como DT de Salamanca: “Existieron contactos” (https://www.ole.com.ar/san-lorenzo/iker-muniain-san-lorenzo-presentacion-salamanca-existieron-contactos_0_Y1C1C2EB3q.html)