"We will start preparing for next season on the first day of our holiday," said the popular Basque.
"There are teams who will be better next season. A loser this time is someone who will be trying even harder to be a winner.
"One of the reasons for our improvement is the speed with which a lot of players settled into English football. They've fitted straight into the side. If the players we bring in do the same, it will be another step forward.
"We hope Mark Gonzalez will come into this category. I've spoken to a lot of people in San Sebastian about him, and they told me how he was the key player for Real Sociedad in the second half of the season. He will make an important difference for us."