Introduction
Roberto Olabe Aranzábal (born 20 October 1967) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and a manager.
Playing career
Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Olabe enjoyed a ten-year senior career. His professional input consisted of 35 Segunda División games with UD Salamanca, and two in La Liga with Real Sociedad.
Olabe's debut in the Spanish top flight on 15 October 1995, starting in a 1–2 home loss against CP Mérida. During his four-year tenure at the Anoeta Stadium, he played second-fiddle to Alberto.
Coaching career
Olabe retired in June 1999, at not yet 32. He was immediately appointed coach of Real Sociedad's youths.
Late into the 2001–02 season, Olabe replaced fired John Toshack at the helm of the first team, going on to avoid team relegation after collecting five wins and two draws from nine matches; on 2 July 2002, he and assistant manager Jesús María Zamora were handed a four-month ban as the former did not possess a coaching license.
After acting as the club's director of football, Olabe was appointed SD Eibar manager on 27 December 2005. He was sacked less than three months later, as the second level campaign eventually ended in relegation.
In 2010–11, Olabe was one of three coaches in charge of UD Almería – where he had already worked in directorial capacities– who returned to division two after a four-year stay. In the ensuing summer, he was named Real Unión's manager.
Olabe became Real Sociedad's director of football in March 2018, replacing Loren in the role.
Personal life
Olabe's son, also named Roberto, is also a footballer. A winger, he also represented Real Sociedad.