Pellegrino Matarazzo declared Real Sociedad's Copa del Rey triumph as "just the beginning" for his team, after they upset Atletico Madrid to end a six-year trophy drought.
La Real won Spain's domestic cup for the third time, having also done so in 1986-87 and 2019-20, via a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in Seville.
Ander Barrenetxea scored their opener just 14 seconds, the fastest goal in any Copa del Rey final, while Mikel Oyarzabal was later on target from the penalty spot. But Atleti equalised on both occasions, through Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez.
However, La Real goalkeeper Unai Marrero proved to be the hero, keeping out spot-kicks from Alexander Sorloth and Alvarez as Matarazzo's team triumphed 4-3 in the shoot-out.
Matarazzo has had a major impact since replacing Sergio Francisco in December, also recording seven wins, four draws and three defeats in 14 matches in LaLiga.
His 50% LaLiga win rate is the highest of any coach to lead La Real for more than one game in the competition, and after capturing silverware, he wants to take them to new heights.
"It's always important to see the context. I'm very happy to see the people happy," he said.
"We have fantastic players, and they did incredibly on the pitch against a great opponent. I'm very happy, and I feel that this is just the beginning."
2º - La Real Sociedad es el segundo equipo que gana dos Copas del Rey en la tanda de penaltis (ambas ante el Atlético de Madrid en 1987 y 2026) tras el Real Betis, que lo hizo en 1977 y 2022. Especialidad. pic.twitter.com/JEoDfSNSsc
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 18, 2026
Atleti had 19 shots to La Real's 15 and edged the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.96 to 1.62, leaving Matarazzo to hail a top-drawer performance from his goalkeeper.
"He played a perfect game," he said of Marrero. "I love the energy he has and that he overflows with the fans at certain moments. It was no coincidence that he stopped the two penalties.
"I don't want to be make it too much about tactics. It was important for us to control the game as best we could, not to take risks.
"We did a good job defensively. We had to suffer in the second half, but this is the character of the team."
Reflecting on Pablo Marin's decisive penalties, which completed a perfect set of kicks from La Real, Matarazzo added: "It was that moment when we realised that it was real, that we had achieved it.
"Until it's done, you can't comprehend that it really happened. It's incredible.
"Thank you to all the fans for their support. During the last few days and today it has been an incredible experience for the team, and we are very grateful for today's support."