Athletic Bilbao
Encyclopedia
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao
in Biscay
, Spain
. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga
since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions. In the historical classification of La Liga Athletic Bilbao are in 4th place and one of only three clubs which have never been relegated from La Liga (the others being Real Madrid
and Barcelona
). The club also has a women's team, which has won four championships in the Spanish Superliga.
They are known as the Los Leones (the lions) because their stadium was built near a church called San Mamés (Saint Mammes). Mammes was an early Christian
thrown to the lions by the Romans
. The lions refused to eat Mammes and he was later made a saint
. The San Mamés Stadium
is hence nicknamed "the football cathedral".
The club is known for its cantera
policy of bringing young Basque
players through the ranks, as well as recruiting top Basque players from other clubs (like Joseba Etxeberria
or Javi Martínez
). Athletic official policy is signing professional players native to the greater Basque Country, including Biscay
, Guipúzcoa, Álava
and Navarre
(in Spain); and Labourd
, Soule
and Lower Navarre
(in France). Still, in recent times, this policy has been somewhat relaxed and players with direct Basque ancestry or with no Basque ancestry but formed in Basque clubs have played for the team. This has gained Athletic both admirers and critics. The club has been praised for promoting home grown players and club loyalty. Athletic is one of only four professional clubs in Spain (the others being Real Madrid, Barcelona and Osasuna) that is not a sports corporation; the club is owned and operated by its associates (socios).
by two distinct groups of players, both with British connections; British steel and shipyard
workers and Basque students returning from schools in Britain.
In the late 19th century Bilbao was a leading port of an important industrial area with iron mines and shipyards nearby. It was the driving force of the Spanish economy and as a result attracted many migrant workers. Among them were miners from the north-east of England, and shipyard workers from Sunderland, Southampton
and Portsmouth
. The British workers brought with them (as to so many other parts of the world) the game of football. In the early 1890s these workers came together and formed Bilbao Football Club.
Meanwhile, sons of the Basque
educated classes had made the opposite journey and went to Britain
to complete their studies in civil engineering and commerce. While in the United Kingdom these students developed an interest in football and on their return to Bilbao they began to arrange games with British workers. In 1898 students belonging to the Gymnasium Zamacois founded the Athletic Club, using the English spelling. In 1901 a meeting was held in the Cafe Garcia which established more formal rules and regulations.
In 1902 the two Bilbao clubs formed a combined team, known as Bizcaya
, in the first Copa del Rey
. They returned with the trophy after defeating FC Barcelona
in the final. This would lead to the eventual merger of the two clubs as Athletic Club in 1903. In the same year Basque students also formed Athletic Club Madrid. This club later evolved into Atlético Madrid. The club's foundation date is a subject of debate among football historians. The club itself declares 1898, but others claim 1901 or 1903 as the true founding year.
, since 1905.
Athletic were one of the last major clubs who did not have the logo of an official sponsor emblazoned on their kit.
In the UEFA cup
and the Copa del Rey of 2004–2005, the shirt sported the word "Euskadi" in green in exchange for hundreds of thousands of euros from the Basque Government
(red, white and green are the Basque colours
).
This policy was changed for the three seasons starting from 2008, with Athletic playing with the logo of the Biscay-based Petronor oil company on their shirts in exchange for over 2 million euros.
In 2011 Athletic revealed the Away kit which has been inspired by the Colours of the Basque Flag.
, failed to turn up. In 1907 they revived the name Club Vizcaya after entering a combined team with Union Vizcaino. After a brief lull they won the competition again in 1911 and then won it three times in a row between 1914 and 1916. The star of this team was Pichichi
, a prolific goalscorer who scored the very first goal in the San Mamés stadium, on August 21, 1913 and a hat-trick in the 1915 final. Today the La Liga top-scorer is declared the Pichichi
in his honour.
, Arenas Club de Getxo
and Real Sociedad
also provided players. These four clubs were all founding members of La Liga in 1928 and by 1930 they were joined by CD Alaves
. This meant that five of the ten clubs in the Primera División of Spain’s national league were from the Basque Country. The saying Con cantera y afición, no hace falta importación, translated as With home-grown teams and supporters, there is no need for imports made sense during these early days.
arrived from Racing Santander. In 1923 he led the club to victory in the Copa del Rey. He revolutionised the way Athletic played, favouring the short-passing game. In 1927 he left Athletic and coached Athletic Madrid, Real Oviedo
and Spain
. In 1929 he rejoined Athletic and he subsequently led Athletic to La Liga/Copa del Rey doubles in 1930 and 1931. The club won the Copa del Rey four times in a row between 1930 and 1933 and they were also La Liga runners-up in 1932 and 1933. In 1931 Athletic also defeated FC Barcelona
12–1, the latter’s worst ever defeat.
make his debut. Over the next thirteen seasons he went on to score 294 goals in all competitions for Atletico, plus another 20 for Spain
in as many games. His 38 goals in the 1950/51 season stood as a record for 50 years before being broken by Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo
. Another great player from this era was Panizo
. In the 1943 the club won a La Liga/Copa del Generalisimo double and they subsequently retained the Copa del Rey in both 1944 and 1945.
During the early 1950s the club featured the legendary forward line of Zarra
, Panizo
, Rafa Iriondo, Venancio and Agustín Gaínza
. They helped the club win another Copa del Generalisimo
in 1950. The arrival of coach Ferdinand Daučík improved the club's fortunes further. He led the team to another double in 1956 and to further Copa del Generalisimo victories in 1955 and 1958. In 1956 the club also made their debut in the European Cup, eventually been knocked out by Manchester United
.
What helped the club succeed in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were the strict limits imposed on foreign players. In most cases clubs could only have three foreign players in its squad, meaning that at least eight local players had to play in every game. While Real Madrid
and FC Barcelona
circumnavigated these rules by playing dual citizens such as Alfredo Di Stéfano
, Ferenc Puskás
, José Santamaria
and Ladislao Kubala
, Athletic adhered strictly to their cantera policy, showing little or no flexibility. The 1960s, however were dominated by Real Madrid
and Atlético Bilbao only had a single Copa del Rey win in 1969.
Like international teams, the club has used the grandparent rule, allowing the recruitment of some players of Basque descent. This enabled Barcelona
-born Armando Merodio
to play for the club. However during 1960s other players such as Jesús María Pereda
, Miguel Jones
, and José Eulogio Gárate
were overlooked. Although none of them were Basques by birth, all three grew up in the Basque Country and could be classified as naturalised Basques. Gárate even had Basque parents.
On a positive note the 1960s saw the emergence of an Athletic legend José Ángel Iribar
. The 1970s were not much better with only another single Copa del Rey win in 1973. In December 1975, before a game against Real Sociedad
, Iribar and the Real captain Ignacio Kortabarria, carried out the Ikurriña
, the Basque flag and placed it ceremonially on the centre-circle. This was the first public display of the flag since the death of Franco
. In 1977 the club reached the UEFA Cup
final, only losing on away goals to Juventus
. By now the club had reverted to using the name Athletic Bilbao.
as manager. He soon set about putting together one of the most successful Athletic Bilbao teams in the clubs history. Young players from the cantera such as Santiago Urkiaga, Miguel De Andres
, Ismael Urtubi
, Estanislao Argote
and Andoni Zubizarreta
joined veterans Dani and Goikoetxea. In his first season in charge, Clemente led the team to 4th place in La Liga. In 1983 the club won La Liga and in 1984 they won a La Liga/Copa del Rey double. In 1985 and 1986 Athletic finished 3rd and 4th respectively. Clemente’s Athletic acquired notoriety for its aggressive style of play, personified by hard man Goikoetxea. He favoured two defensive midfielders playing in front of twin centre backs and a sweeper and as a result critics regarded his teams as dour but effective.
Athletic Bilbao has failed to win a major trophy since the success of the Clemente era. A succession of coaches including José Ángel Iribar
, Howard Kendall
, Jupp Heynckes
and Javier Irureta
and even a returning Clemente failed to reproduce his success.
, appointed in 1996. In 1998 he led the club to second in La Liga
and UEFA Champions League
qualification. Fernandez benefited from the club adopting a more flexible approach to the cantera. Now anybody could play for Athletic, just as long as they acquired their skills in the Basque Country. Thus Patxi Ferreira from Salamanca
and Biurrun
, a Brazil
ian-born player who immigrated to the region at a young age, played for the club in the late 1980s. Despite this new approach, their definition of a Basque is still open to interpretation, with both Roberto López Ufarte
and Benjamín
being overlooked despite having Basque parents.
Fernandez signed Bixente Lizarazu
, the first French-born Basque to join the club, Ismael Urzaiz
and José Mari.
Athletic also began to recruit players from the canteras of other Basque clubs, leading to allegations of poaching. In 1995 Athletic signed Joseba Etxeberria
from regional rivals Real Sociedad
, causing considerable bad feeling between the two clubs. Although Lizarazu
left after one season, Urzaiz
, José Mari Garcia Lafuente and Etxeberria
, were prominent members of the 1997/98 squad along with Rafael Alkorta, Julen Guerrero
and Patxi Ferreira.
second cycle (2001-2003) and Jose Valverde
(2003-2005), the club was embroiled in a relegation battle during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. In 2006 top-flight survival was ensured on the 37th match day when Deportivo de la Coruña were beaten at Riazor 2–1. Javier Clemente
began his third spell as club coach in 2005, at a time when the club were last in the table. He is widely acknowledged to have brought defensive stability to the team, and so is also credited with having saved the club from relegation, despite this he was not left in charge for the 2006–2007 season. The 2006–2007 season has been the worst in the club's history, top-flight survival was ensured on the last match day when Levante were beaten at San Mamés 2–0.
The 2009–2010 season saw Athletic make steady progress in the league and in Europe. Decent home form, including a victory over Real Madrid, led to the team sitting comfortably in the top half of the Liga and qualifying from their Europa League group, although poorer performances away from Bilbao meant that a really successful run never materialised. In 2010 the home games often resulted in draws rather than victories, and this also proved to be the case in the Europa League, where a draw at San Mames against Anderlecht was followed by a heavy defeat in Belgium. Ultimately a promising season delivered little, with Athletic finishing 8th, just out of the European places. But in comparison to most recent seasons it was an improvement. Young stars Javi Martinez
, Markel Susaeta
and Óscar de Marcos
performed well, if inconsistently, providing for main striker Fernando Llorente, and 16-year-old forward Iker Muniain
made a successful breakthrough into the senior squad. At the other end of the career scale, 500-game man Joseba Etxeberria
retired after 15 seasons at the club, and Francisco Yeste
, who had also played over 300 games in the red-and-white shirt, left rather abruptly at the end of the campaign.
also impressed coach Caparros enough to claim the starting place at left-back for the start of the campaign before a bad injury finished his season early. The signing of Spanish Under-21 midfielder Ander Herrera
was agreed well before the end of the season, although the young star elected to stay with formative club Real Zaragoza as a gesture of respect as they battled against relegation.
Copa del Rey
Supercopa de España
Copa Eva Duarte
UEFA Cup
– Europa League
Small World Club Cup
Copa Latina
Copa Ibérica
Northern Championship / Biscay Championship
Last updated: 19 March 2010
Pos. = Position; Pl. = Match played; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lost; GS = Goal Scored; GA = Goal Against; Pts = Points
Colors: Gold = winner; Silver = runner-up; Cyan = ongoing
Colours :
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
in Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions. In the historical classification of La Liga Athletic Bilbao are in 4th place and one of only three clubs which have never been relegated from La Liga (the others being Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
). The club also has a women's team, which has won four championships in the Spanish Superliga.
They are known as the Los Leones (the lions) because their stadium was built near a church called San Mamés (Saint Mammes). Mammes was an early Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
thrown to the lions by the Romans
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
. The lions refused to eat Mammes and he was later made a saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
. The San Mamés Stadium
San Mamés Stadium
Estadio San Mamés, AKA La Catedral , is a football stadium in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. The stadium is the home of Athletic Bilbao, known as "Los leones de San Mamés-Bilboko lehoiak" . They are known as Los leones because their stadium was built near a church called San Mamés...
is hence nicknamed "the football cathedral".
The club is known for its cantera
Cantera
Cantera, literally meaning "quarry" in Spanish, is a term used in Spain to refer to youth academies and farm teams organized by sports clubs. It is also used to refer to the geographical area that clubs recruit players from. The term is widely used in football but is also applied to other sports...
policy of bringing young Basque
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
players through the ranks, as well as recruiting top Basque players from other clubs (like Joseba Etxeberria
Joseba Etxeberría
Joseba Andoni Etxeberria Lizardi is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a winger.After starting his professional career at only 17, with Real Sociedad, he quickly switched to Basque neighbours Athletic de Bilbao, going on to spend the rest of his extensive career there.Exteberria...
or Javi Martínez
Javi Martínez
Javier "Javi" Martínez Aguinaga is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a central midfielder.Martínez also played for the Spanish national team and was a member of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup.-Club career:...
). Athletic official policy is signing professional players native to the greater Basque Country, including Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, Guipúzcoa, Álava
Álava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
and Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
(in Spain); and Labourd
Labourd
Labourd is a former French province and part of the present-day Pyrénées Atlantiques département. It is historically one of the seven provinces of the traditional Basque Country....
, Soule
Soule
Soule is a former viscounty and French province and part of the present day Pyrénées-Atlantiques département...
and Lower Navarre
Lower Navarre
Lower Navarre is a part of the present day Pyrénées Atlantiques département of France. Along with Navarre of Spain, it was once ruled by the Kings of Navarre. Lower Navarre was historically one of the kingdoms of Navarre. Its capital were Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Saint-Palais...
(in France). Still, in recent times, this policy has been somewhat relaxed and players with direct Basque ancestry or with no Basque ancestry but formed in Basque clubs have played for the team. This has gained Athletic both admirers and critics. The club has been praised for promoting home grown players and club loyalty. Athletic is one of only four professional clubs in Spain (the others being Real Madrid, Barcelona and Osasuna) that is not a sports corporation; the club is owned and operated by its associates (socios).
Bilbao FC, Athletic Club and Bizcaya
Football was introduced to BilbaoBilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
by two distinct groups of players, both with British connections; British steel and shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
workers and Basque students returning from schools in Britain.
In the late 19th century Bilbao was a leading port of an important industrial area with iron mines and shipyards nearby. It was the driving force of the Spanish economy and as a result attracted many migrant workers. Among them were miners from the north-east of England, and shipyard workers from Sunderland, Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. The British workers brought with them (as to so many other parts of the world) the game of football. In the early 1890s these workers came together and formed Bilbao Football Club.
Meanwhile, sons of the Basque
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
educated classes had made the opposite journey and went to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to complete their studies in civil engineering and commerce. While in the United Kingdom these students developed an interest in football and on their return to Bilbao they began to arrange games with British workers. In 1898 students belonging to the Gymnasium Zamacois founded the Athletic Club, using the English spelling. In 1901 a meeting was held in the Cafe Garcia which established more formal rules and regulations.
In 1902 the two Bilbao clubs formed a combined team, known as Bizcaya
Club Bizcaya
The Club Bizcaya was an association football representative team, specially created to take part in the Copa del Rey 1902 and the Copa del Rey 1907. The team is similar to London XI.The Copa del Rey was created on 1902...
, in the first Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
. They returned with the trophy after defeating FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in the final. This would lead to the eventual merger of the two clubs as Athletic Club in 1903. In the same year Basque students also formed Athletic Club Madrid. This club later evolved into Atlético Madrid. The club's foundation date is a subject of debate among football historians. The club itself declares 1898, but others claim 1901 or 1903 as the true founding year.
Club Colours
Atletic Bilbao began playing in an improvised white kit, but in the 1902–03 season the clubs first official strip became half blue, half white shirts similar to those worn by Blackburn Rovers, which were donated by Juan Moser. Later a young student from Bilbao named Juan Elorduy, who was spending Christmas 1909 in London was charged by the club to buy 25 new shirts, but was unable to find enough. Waiting for the ship back to Bilbao and empty handed, Elorduy realised that the colours of the local team Southampton Football Club matched the colours of the City of Bilbao, and bought 50 shirts to take with him. Upon arriving in Bilbao, the clubs directors decided almost immediately to change the teams strip to the new colours, and since 1910 Athletic Club have played in red and white stripes. Of the 50 shirts bought by Elorduy half were then sent to Atlético Madrid which had originally begun as a youth branch of Bilbao. Before the switch from blue & white to red & white, only one other team wore red & white, Sporting de GijónSporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
, since 1905.
Athletic were one of the last major clubs who did not have the logo of an official sponsor emblazoned on their kit.
In the UEFA cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and the Copa del Rey of 2004–2005, the shirt sported the word "Euskadi" in green in exchange for hundreds of thousands of euros from the Basque Government
Basque Government
The Basque Government is the governing body of the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain. The head of this government is the lehendakari or Basque president that is appointed by the Basque Parliament every four years...
(red, white and green are the Basque colours
Ikurriña
The ikurrina flag or ikurriña is a Basque symbol and the official flag of the Basque Country Autonomous Community of Spain.-Design:...
).
This policy was changed for the three seasons starting from 2008, with Athletic playing with the logo of the Biscay-based Petronor oil company on their shirts in exchange for over 2 million euros.
In 2011 Athletic revealed the Away kit which has been inspired by the Colours of the Basque Flag.
Copa del Rey
The club featured prominently in early Copa del Rey competitions. Following the inaugural win by Club Vizcaya, the newly formed Athletic Bilbao won it again in 1903. In 1904 they were declared winners after their opponents, Club Español de MadridClub Español de Madrid
Club Español de Madrid was a Spanish football club based in Madrid. The club was originally formed in 1900. In 1902 a split within the club resulted in the formation of Real Madrid. Club Español were subsequently Campeonato Regional Centro champions in both 1904 and 1909.Club Español were one of...
, failed to turn up. In 1907 they revived the name Club Vizcaya after entering a combined team with Union Vizcaino. After a brief lull they won the competition again in 1911 and then won it three times in a row between 1914 and 1916. The star of this team was Pichichi
Pichichi (footballer)
Rafael Moreno Aranzadi , aka Pichichi , was a Spanish football striker who played for Athletic Bilbao during the 1910s and 1920s.-Club career:...
, a prolific goalscorer who scored the very first goal in the San Mamés stadium, on August 21, 1913 and a hat-trick in the 1915 final. Today the La Liga top-scorer is declared the Pichichi
The Pichichi Trophy
In Spanish football, the Pichichi is the trophy awarded by Spanish sports newspaper Marca to the top goalscorer for each league season. The award is named after the famous Athletic Bilbao player, Rafael Moreno "Pichichi"...
in his honour.
The First La Liga
Athletic were not the only Basque team represented in the 1920 squad. Other clubs such as Real UniónReal Unión
Real Unión Club de Irún, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Irun, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the province of Gipuzkoa, near the border with France...
, Arenas Club de Getxo
Arenas Club de Getxo
Arenas Club de Getxo is a Spanish football club based in the town of Getxo, near Bilbao, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1914, it currently plays in Tercera División, holding home games at Campo Municipal de Gobela, with a 1,200-seat capacity.It was among the pioneering...
and Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
also provided players. These four clubs were all founding members of La Liga in 1928 and by 1930 they were joined by CD Alaves
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
. This meant that five of the ten clubs in the Primera División of Spain’s national league were from the Basque Country. The saying Con cantera y afición, no hace falta importación, translated as With home-grown teams and supporters, there is no need for imports made sense during these early days.
The Fred Pentland Era
In 1921 a new coach, Fred PentlandFred Pentland
Frederick Beaconsfield Pentland was an English footballer and manager. He played as a forward for, among others, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough and England. However he is best remembered for his career as a manager in Spain where he coached several clubs including Athletic...
arrived from Racing Santander. In 1923 he led the club to victory in the Copa del Rey. He revolutionised the way Athletic played, favouring the short-passing game. In 1927 he left Athletic and coached Athletic Madrid, Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo is a Spanish football club based in Oviedo, in the autonomous community of Asturias. Founded on 26 March 1926, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 2....
and Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
. In 1929 he rejoined Athletic and he subsequently led Athletic to La Liga/Copa del Rey doubles in 1930 and 1931. The club won the Copa del Rey four times in a row between 1930 and 1933 and they were also La Liga runners-up in 1932 and 1933. In 1931 Athletic also defeated FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
12–1, the latter’s worst ever defeat.
Atlético Bilbao
In 1941 the club changed its name to Atlético Bilbao, following a decree issued by Franco, banning the use of non-Spanish language names and scrapping the policy of only letting Basque-born players in the team (see origins of the "grandparent rule"). The same year also saw ZarraTelmo Zarraonaindía
Telmo Zarraonandia Montoya , popularly known as Zarra, was a Spanish Basque football player for Athletic Bilbao from 1940 to 1955....
make his debut. Over the next thirteen seasons he went on to score 294 goals in all competitions for Atletico, plus another 20 for Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in as many games. His 38 goals in the 1950/51 season stood as a record for 50 years before being broken by Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
. Another great player from this era was Panizo
José Luis Lopez Panizo
José Luis López Panizo was a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder.-Club career:...
. In the 1943 the club won a La Liga/Copa del Generalisimo double and they subsequently retained the Copa del Rey in both 1944 and 1945.
During the early 1950s the club featured the legendary forward line of Zarra
Telmo Zarraonaindía
Telmo Zarraonandia Montoya , popularly known as Zarra, was a Spanish Basque football player for Athletic Bilbao from 1940 to 1955....
, Panizo
José Luis Lopez Panizo
José Luis López Panizo was a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder.-Club career:...
, Rafa Iriondo, Venancio and Agustín Gaínza
Agustín Gaínza
Agustín Gaínza Vicandi was a Spanish/Basque footballer and coach born in Basauri, Vizcaya. Also known as Piru. He played as a left sided winger or forward for Atlético Bilbao and Spain. Between 1940 and 1959 he made 381 La Liga appearances, scoring 120 goals...
. They helped the club win another Copa del Generalisimo
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
in 1950. The arrival of coach Ferdinand Daučík improved the club's fortunes further. He led the team to another double in 1956 and to further Copa del Generalisimo victories in 1955 and 1958. In 1956 the club also made their debut in the European Cup, eventually been knocked out by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
What helped the club succeed in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were the strict limits imposed on foreign players. In most cases clubs could only have three foreign players in its squad, meaning that at least eight local players had to play in every game. While Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
circumnavigated these rules by playing dual citizens such as Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé, born into a family of Italian immigrants from Capri, is a former Argentinian footballer and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time...
, Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian footballer and manager. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954...
, José Santamaria
José Santamaria
José Emilio Santamaría Iglesias is an Spanish-Uruguayan former football player and coach. He is regarded by many as one of the all-time greatest central defenders...
and Ladislao Kubala
Ladislao Kubala
László Kubala Stecz , also referred to as Ladislav Kubala, Ladislao Kubala, was a footballer, who played as a forward with, among others, Ferencvárosi TC, ŠK Slovan Bratislava, Vasas SC, FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. He also played for three different national teams, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and...
, Athletic adhered strictly to their cantera policy, showing little or no flexibility. The 1960s, however were dominated by Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Atlético Bilbao only had a single Copa del Rey win in 1969.
Like international teams, the club has used the grandparent rule, allowing the recruitment of some players of Basque descent. This enabled Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
-born Armando Merodio
Armando Merodio
Armando Merodio Pesquera is a retired Spanish footballer, who played as a striker.-Football career:Born in Barcelona, Spain, Merodio started his career with Barakaldo CF, but soon moved to another side in the Basque Country, Athletic Bilbao, being eligible to represent it due to his father's...
to play for the club. However during 1960s other players such as Jesús María Pereda
Jesus María Pereda
Jesús María Pereda Ruiz de Temiño , also known as Chus Pereda, was a Spanish football midfielder and manager....
, Miguel Jones
Miguel Jones
Miguel Jones Castillo is a former Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder for SD Indautxu and Atlético Madrid during the 1950s and 1960s. Although born in Spanish Guinea, now known as Equatorial Guinea, Jones grew up in Bilbao...
, and José Eulogio Gárate
José Eulogio Gárate
José Eulogio Gárate Ormaechea is a former Argentine-Spanish footballer who played as a forward for SD Eibar, SD Indautxu, Atlético Madrid and Spain.-Club career:...
were overlooked. Although none of them were Basques by birth, all three grew up in the Basque Country and could be classified as naturalised Basques. Gárate even had Basque parents.
On a positive note the 1960s saw the emergence of an Athletic legend José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena, nicknamed El Chopo , is a retired Spanish football goalkeeper and manager....
. The 1970s were not much better with only another single Copa del Rey win in 1973. In December 1975, before a game against Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, Iribar and the Real captain Ignacio Kortabarria, carried out the Ikurriña
Ikurriña
The ikurrina flag or ikurriña is a Basque symbol and the official flag of the Basque Country Autonomous Community of Spain.-Design:...
, the Basque flag and placed it ceremonially on the centre-circle. This was the first public display of the flag since the death of Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
. In 1977 the club reached the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
final, only losing on away goals to Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
. By now the club had reverted to using the name Athletic Bilbao.
The Clemente Era
In 1981 the club appointed Javier ClementeJavier Clemente
Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent...
as manager. He soon set about putting together one of the most successful Athletic Bilbao teams in the clubs history. Young players from the cantera such as Santiago Urkiaga, Miguel De Andres
Miguel de Andrés
Miguel de Andrés Barace is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder.-Club career:Born in Ochagavía, Navarre, de Andrés joined Athletic Bilbao's youth system, Lezama, in 1975, after reported interest from both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona...
, Ismael Urtubi
Ismael Urtubi
Ismael Urtubi Aróstegui is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left midfielder.An accomplished penalty kick taker, his entire professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao, with which he appeared in nearly 300 official games, winning four major titles, including two La Liga...
, Estanislao Argote
Estanislao Argote
Estanislao Argote Salaberría is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left winger.-Club career:Argote began playing football with local Zarautz KE, joining Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao in 1975...
and Andoni Zubizarreta
Andoni Zubizarreta
Andoni Zubizarreta Urreta is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.The all-time most capped player for the Spanish national team for several years, he played with individual and team success for Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona , appearing in more than 950...
joined veterans Dani and Goikoetxea. In his first season in charge, Clemente led the team to 4th place in La Liga. In 1983 the club won La Liga and in 1984 they won a La Liga/Copa del Rey double. In 1985 and 1986 Athletic finished 3rd and 4th respectively. Clemente’s Athletic acquired notoriety for its aggressive style of play, personified by hard man Goikoetxea. He favoured two defensive midfielders playing in front of twin centre backs and a sweeper and as a result critics regarded his teams as dour but effective.
Athletic Bilbao has failed to win a major trophy since the success of the Clemente era. A succession of coaches including José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena, nicknamed El Chopo , is a retired Spanish football goalkeeper and manager....
, Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s....
, Jupp Heynckes
Jupp Heynckes
Josef "Jupp" Heynckes is a German football coach and former player. As player he belonged to the core of the team of Borussia Mönchengladbach in its golden era of the 1960s and 1970s where he won many national championships and the Cup as well as the UEFA Cup...
and Javier Irureta
Javier Irureta
Javier Iruretagoyena Amiano , Irureta for short, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a forward, and a current manager....
and even a returning Clemente failed to reproduce his success.
The Fernández Era
The most successful Athletic coach since Clemente has been Luis FernándezLuis Fernández
Luis Fernández is a Spanish-French footballer who played as a defender / midfielder. He retired as a player in 1993 to become a manager....
, appointed in 1996. In 1998 he led the club to second in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
and UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League 1998-99
The 1998–99 UEFA Champions League was the seventh season of the UEFA Champions League, Europe's premier club football tournament, since it was renamed from the "European Champion Clubs' Cup" or "European Cup". The competition was won by Manchester United, coming back from a goal down in the last...
qualification. Fernandez benefited from the club adopting a more flexible approach to the cantera. Now anybody could play for Athletic, just as long as they acquired their skills in the Basque Country. Thus Patxi Ferreira from Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
and Biurrun
Biurrun
José Vicente Fernández Biurrun is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.Although Brazilian born, he was of Basque descent and moved to Spain at a young age, and was thus deemed to be eligible to play for Athletic Bilbao.-Football career:Biurrun started playing professionally with...
, a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian-born player who immigrated to the region at a young age, played for the club in the late 1980s. Despite this new approach, their definition of a Basque is still open to interpretation, with both Roberto López Ufarte
Roberto López Ufarte
Roberto López Ufarte is a former Spanish footballer, who played as a forward.Nicknamed The little devil, most of his career was spent at Real Sociedad...
and Benjamín
Benjamín Zarandona
Benjamín Zarandona Esono , simply Benjamín, is an Equatoguinean footballer who plays for CD Íscar in Tercera División, as a midfielder....
being overlooked despite having Basque parents.
Fernandez signed Bixente Lizarazu
Bixente Lizarazu
Bixente Lizarazu is a former football left defender who played most notably for Girondins de Bordeaux and Bayern Munich, as well as the French national team.-Football career:...
, the first French-born Basque to join the club, Ismael Urzaiz
Ismael Urzaiz
Ismael Urzaiz Aranda is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a centre forward.Best known for his physical strength and aerial ability, the unsuccessful youth graduate at Real Madrid went on to represent seven other teams during his extensive professional career, mainly Athletic Bilbao...
and José Mari.
Athletic also began to recruit players from the canteras of other Basque clubs, leading to allegations of poaching. In 1995 Athletic signed Joseba Etxeberria
Joseba Etxeberría
Joseba Andoni Etxeberria Lizardi is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a winger.After starting his professional career at only 17, with Real Sociedad, he quickly switched to Basque neighbours Athletic de Bilbao, going on to spend the rest of his extensive career there.Exteberria...
from regional rivals Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, causing considerable bad feeling between the two clubs. Although Lizarazu
Bixente Lizarazu
Bixente Lizarazu is a former football left defender who played most notably for Girondins de Bordeaux and Bayern Munich, as well as the French national team.-Football career:...
left after one season, Urzaiz
Ismael Urzaiz
Ismael Urzaiz Aranda is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a centre forward.Best known for his physical strength and aerial ability, the unsuccessful youth graduate at Real Madrid went on to represent seven other teams during his extensive professional career, mainly Athletic Bilbao...
, José Mari Garcia Lafuente and Etxeberria
Joseba Etxeberría
Joseba Andoni Etxeberria Lizardi is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a winger.After starting his professional career at only 17, with Real Sociedad, he quickly switched to Basque neighbours Athletic de Bilbao, going on to spend the rest of his extensive career there.Exteberria...
, were prominent members of the 1997/98 squad along with Rafael Alkorta, Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero López is a retired Spanish footballer who played solely for Athletic Club de Bilbao.Ambidextrous, the attacking midfielder was mainly known for his skills and shooting ability...
and Patxi Ferreira.
The "black biennium"
After Jupp HeynckesJupp Heynckes
Josef "Jupp" Heynckes is a German football coach and former player. As player he belonged to the core of the team of Borussia Mönchengladbach in its golden era of the 1960s and 1970s where he won many national championships and the Cup as well as the UEFA Cup...
second cycle (2001-2003) and Jose Valverde
José Valverde
José Rafael Valverde is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is Papa Grande...
(2003-2005), the club was embroiled in a relegation battle during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. In 2006 top-flight survival was ensured on the 37th match day when Deportivo de la Coruña were beaten at Riazor 2–1. Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent...
began his third spell as club coach in 2005, at a time when the club were last in the table. He is widely acknowledged to have brought defensive stability to the team, and so is also credited with having saved the club from relegation, despite this he was not left in charge for the 2006–2007 season. The 2006–2007 season has been the worst in the club's history, top-flight survival was ensured on the last match day when Levante were beaten at San Mamés 2–0.
The Caparros Era
In the La Liga 2008–09 season Athletic again achieved unspectacular results and finished in mid-table, though they ensured safety from relegation earlier than in the previous campaigns. In the Copa del Rey 2008–09 however the team managed to pull through some tough ties including local rivals Osasuna and the strong Sevilla side to reach their first final in the competition in 24 years. The final in Valencia against Barcelona was a great occasion for the fans, and though they lost 4–1 the result was no disgrace, as the expensively assembled Barcelona side of that season also proved unbeatable in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Athletic's reward for their efforts was a place in the 'new' UEFA Europa League tournament for the following campaign.The 2009–2010 season saw Athletic make steady progress in the league and in Europe. Decent home form, including a victory over Real Madrid, led to the team sitting comfortably in the top half of the Liga and qualifying from their Europa League group, although poorer performances away from Bilbao meant that a really successful run never materialised. In 2010 the home games often resulted in draws rather than victories, and this also proved to be the case in the Europa League, where a draw at San Mames against Anderlecht was followed by a heavy defeat in Belgium. Ultimately a promising season delivered little, with Athletic finishing 8th, just out of the European places. But in comparison to most recent seasons it was an improvement. Young stars Javi Martinez
Javi Martínez
Javier "Javi" Martínez Aguinaga is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a central midfielder.Martínez also played for the Spanish national team and was a member of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup.-Club career:...
, Markel Susaeta
Markel Susaeta
Markel Susaeta Laskurain is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic de Bilbao as a right winger.-Football career:...
and Óscar de Marcos
Óscar de Marcos
Óscar de Marcos Arana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, mainly as a forward.-Football career:...
performed well, if inconsistently, providing for main striker Fernando Llorente, and 16-year-old forward Iker Muniain
Iker Muniain
Iker Muniain Goñi is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish first division, mainly as a winger.-Club career:...
made a successful breakthrough into the senior squad. At the other end of the career scale, 500-game man Joseba Etxeberria
Joseba Etxeberría
Joseba Andoni Etxeberria Lizardi is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a winger.After starting his professional career at only 17, with Real Sociedad, he quickly switched to Basque neighbours Athletic de Bilbao, going on to spend the rest of his extensive career there.Exteberria...
retired after 15 seasons at the club, and Francisco Yeste
Francisco Yeste
Francisco "Fran" Javier Yeste Navarro is a Spanish footballer who plays for Olympiacos F.C. in Greece.Usually an attacking midfielder , he played 11 years of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao , appearing in 353 official games and scoring 59 goals.-Athletic Bilbao:Born in...
, who had also played over 300 games in the red-and-white shirt, left rather abruptly at the end of the campaign.
The Bielsa era
Going into 2010–11 Athletic were looking to build on the previous season and claim a European placing. The season started positively, with Llorente scoring several times in early games. The team's form, particularly away from home, was not consistent enough for them to mount a challenge for 4th (Champions League) but similar lapses by other teams meant there was still a chance of qualifying for the Europa League. This was eventually achieved with one match remaining, with Athletic moving clear of early-season successes Espanyol after a series of narrow victories including 2–1 wins over basque rivals Osasuna and Real Sociedad in successive weeks. A defensive injury and suspension crisis midway through the season led to Borja Ekiza, previously only a member of the B squad, being drafted in at centre-half, and his performances were solid enough for him to retain his place for the remaining games. Teenager Muniain also started almost every match, mostly on the left wing where he could use his trickery to supply Llorente and his hard-working but technically limited support striker Gaizka Toquero, and fellow 18-year-old Jon AurtenetxeJon Aurtenetxe
Jon Aurtenetxe Borde is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a defender.-Honours:Spain U19*UEFA U-19 Championship: 2011Spain U17*FIFA U-17 World Cup: Third place 2009-External links:...
also impressed coach Caparros enough to claim the starting place at left-back for the start of the campaign before a bad injury finished his season early. The signing of Spanish Under-21 midfielder Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera Agüera is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a midfielder.-Club career:...
was agreed well before the end of the season, although the young star elected to stay with formative club Real Zaragoza as a gesture of respect as they battled against relegation.
Current squad
(Captain)Out on loan
Managers
| Managers of the 20th century | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Trainers (1910–63) | Year | Trainers (1963–00) | |
| 1910–14 |  Mr. Sheperd |
1963–64 |  Juan Ochoantezana |
|
| 1914–15 | Billy Barnes Billy Barnes (footballer) Billy Barnes was a professional footballer who scored the winning goal in the 1902 FA Cup final for Sheffield United, defeating Southampton 2-1 in a replay.-Honours:Sheffield United* FA Cup**Winner: 1902-External links:**... |
1964–65 | Antonio Barrios (2nd cycle) |
|
| 1915–19 | No coach. | 1965–68 | Agustín Gaínza Agustín Gaínza Agustín Gaínza Vicandi was a Spanish/Basque footballer and coach born in Basauri, Vizcaya. Also known as Piru. He played as a left sided winger or forward for Atlético Bilbao and Spain. Between 1940 and 1959 he made 381 La Liga appearances, scoring 120 goals... |
|
| 1919–21 | Billy Barnes Billy Barnes (footballer) Billy Barnes was a professional footballer who scored the winning goal in the 1902 FA Cup final for Sheffield United, defeating Southampton 2-1 in a replay.-Honours:Sheffield United* FA Cup**Winner: 1902-External links:**... (2nd cycle) |
1968–69 | Rafael Iriondo Rafael Iriondo Rafael Iriondo Aurtenechea is a retired Spanish football forward and manager.-Club career:Iriondo arrived at Basque giants Athletic Bilbao in 1940, from Atletico Tetuán... |
|
| 1921–22 | Mr. Burton |
1969–71 | Ronnie Allen Ronnie Allen Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team... |
|
| 1922–25 |  Juan Arzuaga |
1971–72 | Salvador Artigas |
|
| 1925–26 | Ralph Kirby / Fred Pentland Fred Pentland Frederick Beaconsfield Pentland was an English footballer and manager. He played as a forward for, among others, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough and England. However he is best remembered for his career as a manager in Spain where he coached several clubs including Athletic... |
1972–74 |  Milorad PavićMilorad Pavic (footballer) Milorad "Miša" Pavić was a Serbian football player and coach.In his home country he coached Red Star Belgrade and FK Vojvodina.... |
|
| 1926–29 |  Lippo Hertzka |
1974–75 | Rafael Iriondo Rafael Iriondo Rafael Iriondo Aurtenechea is a retired Spanish football forward and manager.-Club career:Iriondo arrived at Basque giants Athletic Bilbao in 1940, from Atletico Tetuán... (2nd cycle) |
|
| 1929–33 | Fred Pentland Fred Pentland Frederick Beaconsfield Pentland was an English footballer and manager. He played as a forward for, among others, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough and England. However he is best remembered for his career as a manager in Spain where he coached several clubs including Athletic... (2nd cycle) |
1975–79 |  Koldo Aguirre |
|
| 1933–35 |  Patricio Caicedo |
1979–81 |  Helmut SenekowitschHelmut Senekowitsch Helmut Senekowitsch was an Austrian football player and later a football manager.-Club career:He played for several clubs, including SK Sturm Graz, Real Betis and FC Wacker Innsbruck.-International career:... |
|
| 1935–37 | William Garbutt William Garbutt William Thomas Garbutt born in Hazel Grove, Stockport, most commonly known as Willy Garbutt was an English football player, and later a prominent coaching figure in Italian and Spanish football after his retirement... / J. M Olabarria |
1981 |  Iñaki SáezIñaki Sáez José Ignacio "Iñaki" Sáez Ruiz is a retired Spanish football defender and manager.The vast majority of his professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao, which he later also coached in various levels, appearing in more than 300 official games with his main club.In addition to two other clubs... |
|
| 1939–41 |  Roberto Echevarria |
1981–86 | Javier Clemente Javier Clemente Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent... |
|
| 1940–47 | Juan Urquizu |
1986–87 | José Ángel Iribar José Ángel Iribar José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena, nicknamed El Chopo , is a retired Spanish football goalkeeper and manager.... |
|
| 1947–49 | Henry John Bagge |
1987–89 | Howard Kendall Howard Kendall Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s.... |
|
| 1949–52 | José Iraragorri José Iraragorri José Iraragorri Ealo , sometimes nicknamed Chato, was a Spanish footballer. He was born in Basauri. He played for Athletic Bilbao during the periods 1929-1936, 1946-1949... |
1989–90 | Txetxu Rojo |
|
| 1952–54 | Antonio Barrios |
1990–91 | Javier Clemente Javier Clemente Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent... (2nd cycle) |
|
| 1955–57 |  Ferdinand Daučík |
1991–92 | Iñaki Sáez Iñaki Sáez José Ignacio "Iñaki" Sáez Ruiz is a retired Spanish football defender and manager.The vast majority of his professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao, which he later also coached in various levels, appearing in more than 300 official games with his main club.In addition to two other clubs... (2nd cycle) / Jesús Aranguren |
|
| 1957–58 | Baltasar Albéniz |
1993–94 |  Jupp HeynckesJupp Heynckes Josef "Jupp" Heynckes is a German football coach and former player. As player he belonged to the core of the team of Borussia Mönchengladbach in its golden era of the 1960s and 1970s where he won many national championships and the Cup as well as the UEFA Cup... |
|
| 1958–60 | Martim Francisco | 1994–95 | Javier Irureta Javier Irureta Javier Iruretagoyena Amiano , Irureta for short, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a forward, and a current manager.... / J.M Amorrortu |
|
| 1960–62 | Juan Antonio Ipiña |
1995–96 | Dragoslav Stepanović Dragoslav Stepanovic Dragoslav Stepanović is a retired Serbian footballer and current coach.- Career :He made his name with OFK Beograd where he was a defensive right back fixture for 11 years between 1962 and 1973, before moving on to Red Star Belgrade for 3 seasons until 1976... |
|
| 1962–63 | Ángel Zubieta Ángel Zubieta Ángel Zubieta Redondo was a former Spanish footballer and manager.-Playing career:Zubieta started his playing career in the 1935–36 season at the age of 17... |
1996-00 |  Luis FernándezLuis Fernández Luis Fernández is a Spanish-French footballer who played as a defender / midfielder. He retired as a player in 1993 to become a manager.... |
| Managers of the 21st century | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Trainers | |||
| 2000–01 | Txetxu Rojo |
|||
| 2001–03 | Jupp Heynckes Jupp Heynckes Josef "Jupp" Heynckes is a German football coach and former player. As player he belonged to the core of the team of Borussia Mönchengladbach in its golden era of the 1960s and 1970s where he won many national championships and the Cup as well as the UEFA Cup... (2nd cycle) |
|||
| 2003–05 | Ernesto Valverde |
|||
| 2005–06 | José Luis Mendilibar José Luis Mendilibar José Luis Mendilibar Etxebarria is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current coach.-Playing career:... / Javier ClementeJavier Clemente Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent... (3rd cycle) |
|||
| 2006–07 | Félix Sarriugarte / José Manuel Esnal "Mané" José Manuel Esnal José Manuel Esnal Pardo , aka Mané, is a Spanish football manager.His career was mostly associated to Lleida and Alavés, coaching the latter in five La Liga seasons and taking it to the 2001 UEFA Cup Final.-Early years / Lleida:Mané started coaching in his late 20's, his first job being with his... |
|||
| 2007–11 | Joaquín Caparrós Joaquín Caparrós Joaquín de Jesús Caparrós Camino is a Spanish football coach, currently in charge of RCD Mallorca.-Football career:Caparrós was born in Utrera, Province of Seville, Andalusia. After an obscure career as a player, he started coaching in his mid-20's, his first club being amateurs San José Obrero CF... |
|||
| 2011– |  Marcelo BielsaMarcelo Bielsa Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe... |
|||
Uniform's evolution
| 1903 | 1910 | 1913 | 1950 | 1970 | 1982 | 1996 | 2004 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–1990 | Adidas Adidas Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport... |
None |
| 1990–1999 | Kappa Kappa (company) Kappa is an Italian company specialized at the manufacture of sporting clothes and accessories, that started as a sock and underwear manufacturer in 1916 in Turin.-Logo:... |
|
| 1999–2001 | Adidas | |
| 2001–2008 | 100% Athletic | |
| 2008–2009 | Petronor | |
| 2009–2017 | Umbro Umbro Umbro is an English sportswear and football equipment supplier based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England. The company is now part of Nike. Umbro designs, sources, and markets sport-related apparel, footwear, and equipment... |
Honours
National tournaments
La LigaLa Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
- Winners (8): 1929–30, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1942–43, 1955–56, 1982–83, 1983–84.
- Runners-up (7): 1931–32, 1932–33, 1940–41, 1946–47, 1951–52, 1969–70, 1997–98.
Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
- Winners (23 ): 1903, 1904, 1910, 1911, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1921, 1923, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1969, 1973, 1984.
- Runners-up (12): 1905, 1906, 1913, 1920, 1942, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1967, 1977, 1985, 2009.
Supercopa de España
Supercopa de España
The Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
- Winners (1): 1984.
- Runners-up (2): 1983, 2009.
Copa Eva Duarte
Copa Eva Duarte
The Copa Eva Duarte was a Spanish football tournament organized by the RFEF and contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Generalísimo. In 1940, it had the name of Copa de Campeones, and was not played again until 1945, when the ambassador of Argentina, due to the good relations with the...
- Winners (1): 1950.
International tournaments
European Cup – UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- Quarter Finalists (1): 1956–77.
UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
– Europa League
- Runners-up (1): 1976–77.
- Round of 32 (2): 2004–05. 2009-10.
Small World Club Cup
Pequeña Copa del Mundo de Clubes
Pequeña Copa del Mundo was an association football tournament held in Venezuela between 1952 and 1957, with a single revival in 1963 and in 1965. It was usually played by eight participants, half from Europe and half from South America. On the European side, the Latin Cup may have initially been...
- Winners (1): 1967
Copa Latina
- Runners-up (1): 1956.
Copa Ibérica
Iberian Cup
The Iberian Cup, also called Iberian Supercup, was an international competition between clubs from Portugal and Spain, disputed by two teams that were champions in a major competition, very much alike a Supercup, to find out which was the best team from Iberian Peninsula...
- Runners-up (1): 1983.
Regional tournaments
Basque Cup- Winners (1): 1935.
Northern Championship / Biscay Championship
Biscay Championship
TheVizcaya Regional Championship,called North Regional Championshipsin its early editions, was a football official tournament Spain, organized by the Federation Cup Vizcaína-before Federation in the North-affiliated clubs involved in this....
- Winners (17): 1914, 1915, 1916, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1939, 1940.
Women’s Football
Superliga FemeninaSuperliga Femenina
The Primera División, formely Superliga is the highest level of league competition for Spanish women's football. It is the female equivalent of the men's Primera División and is run by the Real Federación Española de Fútbol.-History:...
- Winners (4): 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07
Results
- 4 Participations in the UEFA Champions League / Europe CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- 13 Participations in the UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup
- 5 Participations in the Fairs Cup
- 2 Participations in the Cup Winners' Cup
- 1 Participations in the Intertoto Cup
- 80 seasons (All) in La Liga
| Season | League | Cup Copa del Rey The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol .... |
Europe | Other Comp. | Top scorer | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div | Pos | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Name(s) | Goals | ||||||
| 2004–05 | 1D | 9th | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 59 | 54 | 51 | SF | UEFA Cup | R32 | Ismael Urzaiz Ismael Urzaiz Ismael Urzaiz Aranda is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a centre forward.Best known for his physical strength and aerial ability, the unsuccessful youth graduate at Real Madrid went on to represent seven other teams during his extensive professional career, mainly Athletic Bilbao... |
12 | ||
| 2005–06 | 1D | 12th | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 40 | 46 | 45 | R16 | Intertoto Cup | R2 | Aritz Aduriz Aritz Aduriz Aritz Aduriz Zubeldia is a Spanish footballer who plays for Valencia CF in La Liga, as a striker.-Club career:... |
6 | ||
| 2006–07 | 1D | 17th | 38 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 44 | 62 | 40 | QF | Ismael Urzaiz Ismael Urzaiz Ismael Urzaiz Aranda is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a centre forward.Best known for his physical strength and aerial ability, the unsuccessful youth graduate at Real Madrid went on to represent seven other teams during his extensive professional career, mainly Athletic Bilbao... |
8 | ||||
| 2007–08 La Liga 2007-08 -League table:||rowspan=2 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=7 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Results:... |
1D | 11th | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 40 | 43 | 50 | QF | Fernando Llorente | 12 | ||||
| 2008–09 La Liga 2008-09 -Personnel and sponsoring: FC Barcelona have no shirt sponsors, instead choosing to sport the logo of humanitarian organisation, UNICEF. Barcelona donates five million euros every year to the organisation and wears the organisation's logo on its jersey.... |
1D | 13th | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 47 | 62 | 44 | RU | Fernando Llorente | 18 | ||||
| 2009–10 | 1D | 8th | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 50 | 53 | 54 | R32 | Europa League | R32 | Supercopa de España 2009 Supercopa de España The 2009 Supercopa de España was two-legged Spanish football match-up played on 16 August and 23 August 2009. It was contested by Athletic Bilbao, the 2008–09 Copa del Rey runners-up, and FC Barcelona, the 2008–09 Primera División Winners.... |
RU | Fernando Llorente | 23 |
| 2010–11 | 1D | 6th | 38 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 59 | 55 | 58 | R16 | Fernando Llorente | 19 | ||||
Last updated: 19 March 2010
Pos. = Position; Pl. = Match played; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lost; GS = Goal Scored; GA = Goal Against; Pts = Points
Colors: Gold = winner; Silver = runner-up; Cyan = ongoing
Colours :
| Gold | Champion |
| Silver | Runner-up |
| Green | Champions League Classified |
| Blue | Europa League Classified |
Records and Statistics
- Associates: 40.000
- Budget: €58.693.000 (2009–10)
- Seasons in La Liga: 80 (all).
- Most goals scored in one match home: Athletic 12 – FC BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
1 (1930–31). - Most goals scored in one match away: Osasuna 1 – Athletic 8 (1958–59).
- Most goals scored in one match in Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Athletic 12 – Celta de VigoCelta de VigoReal Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
1 (1946–47) - Most goals scored in one match in European competitions:
Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
1 – Athletic 7 (2004–05). - Best position in La Liga: 1st (8 times)
- Worst position in La Liga: 17th (Once).
- Historical position in the ranking of La Liga: 4th
- Participations in UEFA Europa League: 13
- Best position in UEFA Europa League: Runner-up.
- Participations in UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 4 - Best position in UEFA Champions League: Quarter final.
Records
- Together with Real MadridReal MadridReal Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and FC BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, Athletic is one of only three teams to have contested all editions of La Liga, without ever having been relegated. - In the 1929–30 season, finished the league unbeaten.
- Has the record for the biggest win in La Liga (12–1 to FC BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, in 1931). - Has the record for the biggest win in Copa del Rey (12–1 to Celta de VigoCelta de VigoReal Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, in 1947). - Has the record for the biggest win away to F.C Barcelona (0–6 in Camp NouCamp NouCamp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
). - Zarra is the only player in the history of La Liga to be top scorer 6 times.
- Zarra holds the record for goals in the history of La Liga (252 goals).
- Zarra is the top scorer in the history of Copa del Rey (81 goals).
- Zarra holds the second record for goals in a single season after Cristiano RonaldoCristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
(38 goals, in 30 matches). - Gainza has the record of most goals scored in a single La Liga match (8 goals).
- Zarra holds the record for most goals in a Copa del Rey final (4 goals).
- BataAgustín Sauto AranaAgustín Sauto Arana , commonly referred to as Bata, was a Basque footballer who played for Barakaldo CF, Athletic Bilbao, Spain and the Euskal XI. He was born in Barakaldo. Bata helped Athletic win four La Liga and four Copa del Rey title. He was also the Pichichi in the 1930-31 season with 27...
is the player with the highest average scoring rate in La Liga (0.92 goals per match played).
Stadium information
- Name – San MamésSan Mamés StadiumEstadio San Mamés, AKA La Catedral , is a football stadium in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. The stadium is the home of Athletic Bilbao, known as "Los leones de San Mamés-Bilboko lehoiak" . They are known as Los leones because their stadium was built near a church called San Mamés...
- City – BilbaoBilbaoBilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
- Capacity – 39,750
- Average Attendance – 37,575
- Inauguration – 1913
- Pitch size – 103 x 68 m
- Sports Facilities: Lezama
Future Stadium
- Name: San Mamés Barria
- Capacity: 55,500
- Beginning construction: May 26, 2010.
- End construction (partial, 75%): 2013.
- First matches: 2013/14 season.
- End construction (total, 75%+25%): 2014.
Lezama facilities
The Lezama facility is the complex where all of the categories of Athletic train. Opened in the 1971–72 season. At present, facilities include, inter alia, five natural grass fields, a gymnasium, a pediment, a medical center and a residence for young players.See also
- Bilbao AthleticBilbao AthleticBilbao Athletic is a Spanish football club based in Bilbao, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country...
- CD BaskoniaCD BaskoniaClub Deportivo Baskonia is a Spanish football club based in Basauri, Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in Tercera División, holding home games at Estadio de López Cortázar, with a 8,500-seat capacity.-History:Founded in 1913 as CD Basconia,...
- List of Athletic Bilbao records and statistics
- List of Athletic Bilbao players
- Sports and politics