“Man is full of doubts and I doubt everything”
Arsenio Iglesias, a forceful presence whose personality echoed through the stands, passed away this Friday at the age of 92. He was the architect of Deportivo de La Coruña’s identity, shaping the club from the first whistle to the final embrace of generations of fans across Galicia and beyond. His loss is felt deeply by supporters who grew up cheering a team that became a symbol of pride and nostalgia for many in Spain and for communities far from the coast. When the news arrived, a common refrain emerged: the departure of such a cornerstone leaves a void no matter where one stands within the club.
Arsenio’s life was defined not only by titles but by the moments he created and the conversations he sparked in press rooms that could be daunting. The most enduring memory remains a warning that rang through memories and echoed in discussions: a premonition delivered days before a pivotal moment when a penalty miss cost Deportivo a possible league crown. The phrase, spoken with his characteristic flair, has lingered in the collective memory, especially during trying seasons when the team flirted with promotion but fell short. Celebratory buses after hopeful playoffs and the setback of a promotion defeat are chapters that still haunt and motivate the club’s loyal followers.
That era marked more than on field drama; it carried the weight of a city’s hopes. The club faced heavy defeats and near misses, including a stark relegation and the narrow escapes that followed. Through it all, Arsenio remained a sentinel of the club’s spirit, a figure whose work on the sidelines and in the dugout became a blueprint for resilience. His legacy lives in the many players who rose through Deportivo’s ranks under his watch and in the enduring bond between the team and its supporters who believed in a shared dream, one that persisted even when the road got rocky.
“You have to be crazy to be a coach”
Another signature line from Arsenio captured the public imagination: leadership in football often means shouldering more than one would expect. He spoke with blunt honesty about the blend of glory and burden in guiding a club, carrying that burden with humility. The late 1990s brought a mix of triumphs and trials that earned him reverence as a mentor who helped usher in a generation of players who flourished under his guidance. The tale of the golden generation at Deportivo is tied to praise for those who rose from the ranks under his watch, especially when testing the limits of the club’s potential. Before earning a broader reputation across other teams, he steered Deportivo through near relegations and crucial improvements, including a season that stood out as a turning point and a testament to the city’s unwavering support.
Across coaching stints with Real Zaragoza, Burgos, Elche, Almería, Hércules, Compostela, and even a spell with Real Madrid, Arsenio’s philosophy was clear: leadership carries a heavy load, but so does the chance to inspire. His faith in the players who carried the banner forward showed through his willingness to push, teach, and sometimes challenge the status quo. In his own voice, he expressed concern for the people who followed the team day after day and believed that those experiences—both the setbacks and the small, almost miraculous recoveries—built character and sportsmanship that outlasts wins and losses.
“I don’t want anyone to curse me”
Driven, Arsenio sought strength during tough times and restraint from overpraising triumphs. He spoke of luck and the need for balance, offering a candid critique of the pressures that come with football’s bright lights. His stance on criticism was straightforward: if colleagues argued with one another, he could withstand scrutiny too. The period he navigated through football’s changing landscape was marked by calm reflection, yet also a fierce belief that the game must be lived with heart and purpose. He maintained a practical view of the sport’s constant twists, asserting that the coach’s life is a perpetual test where the margin for error is slim and the lessons are permanent.
In the end, Arsenio’s career reflected a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep respect for the game’s evolving nature. He often reminded fans that football is a dynamic venture—always moving and always demanding faith in yesterday’s choices while embracing tomorrow’s opportunities. The city and the club remember a mentor who understood the game’s volatility and the need to stay one step ahead, even when the odds suggested otherwise. His words on the fly and his actions on the bench offered a roadmap for future generations, emphasizing resilience, humility, and the power of belief in a shared dream with unwavering dedication. [Citation: Deportivo de La Coruña Archives]