Toshack: The man to turn it around for Sociedad (Picture/Allsport)

More than 1,000 fans saw his first training session in preparation for this weekend's league match at home to Real Zaragoza.

The former Liverpool and Wales player was released from his contract with French first division St. Etienne on Tuesday after they reached a compensation agreement with Real. Toshack has signed a deal until June 2003.

Real Sociedad are in the middle of one of the worst crises in their 90-year history and they have been through two coaches this season in Javier Clemente and Periko Alonso.

The team are anchored to the bottom of the table with 12 points from 16 games and were eliminated from the King's Cup in the first round by third division neighbours Beasain.

After the training session Toshack told reporters he had a very clear idea of what he had to do at the club.

'I experienced an almost identical situation at St. Etienne and so I know the recipe that has to be applied to Real.

'I am grateful to the club, because it has given me a lot and the people here have so much confidence in me that it makes my hair stand on end. I am certainly going to try and live up to their expectations.'

Toshack has already managed Real Sociedad for more matches than any other coach in the club's history.

'When you are scared of failing you will achieve absolutely nothing. You do not need to be brave to coach Real Sociedad because it is a privilege to do the job,' said Toshack who has also managed Real Madrid, Deportivo Coruna and Besiktas.

The 51-year-old Welshman became a favourite of the fans after guiding Real to victory in the King's Cup in 1987. The following season they reached the final of the Cup again and finished second in the league.