How Antiguoko became the factory for England's elite managers

The story of Antiguoko begins on a gravel pitch in the hills above San Sebastian, long since replaced by a public park. There, according to Sky Sports, three boys born within seven months of each other and just miles apart learned the game that would eventually land them in charge of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Roberto Montiel, the club's long-serving coach and vice-president, recalls the conditions were far from glamorous. The pitch was small, made of loose stones, and when rain arrived, heavy balls and mud made training treacherous. Yet somehow, the calibre of young talent produced an extraordinary youth setup. "It was like a national team of the best players in the area," says Alvaro Parra, a former team-mate of Arteta's. Their dominance was complete—a 5-0 victory over Real Sociedad, another over Athletic Club. They became known locally as the Basque Dream Team.

Arteta stood out even then. Small but technically gifted, he played as a deep playmaker, always thinking two passes ahead. Team-mates recall how his intelligence and alertness set him apart. One story involves a drop ball where Arteta flicked it away with the outside of his boot before it had fully landed, setting up a team-mate.

Antiguoko has since produced over 40 top-division players. The three managers' shirts hang in pride of place.