Editing Athletic Bilbao (section)

=== 21st century ===
[[File:Marcelo Bielsa - Athletic 2011.jpg|thumb|Marcelo Bielsa led Athletic Bilbao to its second European final.]]
The club narrowly avoided relegation during the [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]] and [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]] seasons,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/04/europeanfootball.sport1|title=Are Bilbao about to bow out?|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=4 December 2006|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142452/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/04/europeanfootball.sport1|url-status=live}}</ref> the latter being the worst in the club's history.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/levante/es/desarrollo/1189444.html | title = Presunto amaño en el Athletic-Levante de hace dos temporadas | trans-title = Alleged match-fixing in Athletic-Levante two seasons ago | newspaper = Marca | language = es | date = 3 December 2008 | access-date = 7 February 2020 | archive-date = 19 December 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081219200137/http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/levante/es/desarrollo/1189444.html | url-status = live }}</ref> In the [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]], they reached their first final in 24 years, [[2009 Copa del Rey Final|losing 4–1 to Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/2009/05/13/futbol/copa_rey/1242251735.html |title=El Barça se corona por aplastamiento |trans-title=Barça crowned in a crushing |newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]] |language=es |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-date=9 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709105203/http://www.marca.com/2009/05/13/futbol/copa_rey/1242251735.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Prior to the [[2011–12 Athletic Bilbao season|2011–12 season]], Athletic's new president, former player [[Josu Urrutia]], brought in coach [[Marcelo Bielsa]];<ref>[http://cadenaser.com/ser/2011/06/30/deportes/1309390100_850215.html?int=masinfo Josu Urrutia confirma a Marcelo Bielsa como su entrenador si es presidente (Josu Urrutia confirms Marcelo Bielsa as his manager if he is president)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127125759/https://cadenaser.com/ser/2011/06/30/deportes/1309390100_850215.html?int=masinfo |date=27 November 2021 }}; [[Cadena SER]], 30 June 2011 (in Spanish)</ref><ref>[http://www.marca.com/2011/07/06/futbol/equipos/athletic/1309980176.html Bielsa: "Hay una proporción adecuada entre esfuerzo y creatividad" (Bielsa: "The proportion between effort and creativity is just right")] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914081647/http://www.marca.com/2011/07/06/futbol/equipos/athletic/1309980176.html |date=14 September 2017 }}; [[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]], 7 July 2011 (in Spanish)</ref> Athletic advanced to their first European final since 1977, losing 3–0 to Spanish rivals Atlético Madrid on 9 May in the [[2012 UEFA Europa League Final]] at the [[Arena Națională]] in [[Bucharest]].<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Atkin |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0250-0c50fb7a9e5f-dc5a349f670c-1000--falcao-at-double-as-atletico-march-to-title/ |title=Falcao at double as Atlético march to title |publisher=[[UEFA]].com |date=9 May 2012 |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826013616/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000277/match=2007480/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They also reached the [[2012 Copa del Rey Final]], losing again to Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/25/barcelona-athletic-copa-del-rey |title=Barcelona end Guardiola era with Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao |date=26 May 2012 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731190430/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/25/barcelona-athletic-copa-del-rey |url-status=live }}</ref>

After star midfielder [[Javi Martínez]] moved to [[FC Bayern Munich]], Athletic were eliminated from the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League#Group I|2012–13 Europa League group stage]], and were knocked out of the [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] by Basque club [[SD Eibar|Eibar]] of the [[2012–13 Segunda División B|third tier]]. Relegation was a threat until the end of the season, and the [[2012–13 La Liga|final league game]] at the "old" San Mamés ended in defeat. Athletic would soon move to a new stadium, albeit in a partially completed state. Bielsa promoted young defender [[Aymeric Laporte]] into the side, while striker [[Fernando Llorente]] completed a [[free transfer (association football)|free transfer]] to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]].<ref name=FE>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-espana.net/32286/llorente-unveiled-juve-player|title=Llorente unveiled as a Juve player|publisher=Football España|date=2 July 2013|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804053751/http://www.football-espana.net/32286/llorente-unveiled-juve-player|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:SM-AB 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|left|Aritz Aduriz became one of the top scorers in the club's history with 172 goals.]]
After Bielsa, [[Ernesto Valverde]] returned for a second spell as manager, and he signed or brought through several new players as Athletic came fourth in [[2013–14 La Liga|the league]], meaning a [[UEFA Champions League]] campaign. [[Ander Herrera]] transferred to Manchester United for €36 million deal at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Herrera pays release clause |url=http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=14335&idi=2 |publisher=athletic-club.net (Athletic Bilbao) |date=26 June 2014 |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630011007/http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=14335&idi=2 |archive-date=30 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Jun/ander-herrera-signs-for-manchester-united.aspx|title=Club statement on Ander Herrera|publisher=Manchester United F.C.|date=26 June 2014|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522214902/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Jun/ander-herrera-signs-for-manchester-united.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Athletic had a triumphant first full-capacity match in the new [[San Mamés Stadium (2013)|San Mamés]] as they defeated [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] to qualify for the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] group stage,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2014216--athletic-club-vs-napoli/|title=Aduriz relishing Athletic's group stage adventure|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=28 August 2014|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903104724/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/matches/round=2000547/match=2014216/postmatch/quotes/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> however they could only finish 3rd in the group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0ea70df0c8a0-eda45b179afd-1000--san-jose-shows-way-for-athletic-at-shakhtar/|title=San José shows way for Athletic at Shakhtar|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=25 November 2014|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915111807/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/matches/round=2000548/match=2014386/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Athletic reached the [[2015 Copa del Rey Final]], but once again lost to Barcelona, 3–1.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/copa-del-rey/2014-2015/barcelona-v-athletic-bilbao-live_sto4760579/story.shtml |title=Lionel Messi stars as Barcelona win Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao |date=30 May 2015 |work=[[Eurosport]] |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205153904/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the first leg of the [[2015 Supercopa de España]] at San Mamés, Athletic defeated Barcelona 4–0, with [[Aritz Aduriz]] scoring a hat-trick. In the return leg at [[Camp Nou]], Athletic hung on with a 1–1 draw to win their first trophy since 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33939433|title=Barcelona thrashed 4–0 by Bilbao|date=14 August 2015|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=17 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817115633/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33939433|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33969001|title=Barcelona lose Spanish Super Cup to Athletic Bilbao|date=17 August 2015|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=19 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819060442/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33969001|url-status=live}}</ref> Aduriz finished with 36 goals in all competitions. Athletic advanced to the quarter-finals in the [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] where they were only defeated on penalties by the holders and eventual repeat winners [[Sevilla FC]].

Valverde left his position at the end of the 2016–17 season after four years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/17933/ernesto-valverde-will-not-continue-as-premier-team-coach.html|title=Ernesto Valverde will not continue as premier team coach|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|work=official website|date=23 May 2017|access-date=24 May 2017|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118021546/https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/17933/ernesto-valverde-will-not-continue-as-premier-team-coach.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was confirmed that his successor would be former player [[José Ángel Ziganda]], moving up from [[Athletic Bilbao B|Bilbao Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/17937/jose-angel-ziganda-new-athletic-clubs-manager.html|title=José Ángel Ziganda, Athletic Club's new manager|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|work=official website|date=24 May 2017|access-date=25 May 2017|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713232103/https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/17937/jose-angel-ziganda-new-athletic-clubs-manager.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 November the club suffered a shock defeat to [[SD Formentera]] in the [[2017–18 Copa del Rey#Round of 32|domestic cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/18517/goodbye-to-the-cup.html|title=Goodbye to the cup|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=29 November 2017|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044309/http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/18517/goodbye-to-the-cup.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/11/30/5a1fe04fca4741e86f8b4584.html|title=Formentera loss plunges Athletic into crisis|newspaper=Marca|date=30 November 2017|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201002000/http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/11/30/5a1fe04fca4741e86f8b4584.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the conclusion of a poor season overall, Ziganda was dismissed and [[Eduardo Berizzo]] was appointed. However, his spell was even less fruitful<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2018/11/06/actualidad/1541532008_175271.html|title=El fantasma del bienio negro ronda San Mamés|trans-title=The ghost of the black biennium around San Mamés|newspaper=[[El País]]|language=es|date=7 November 2018|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044837/https://elpais.com/deportes/2018/11/06/actualidad/1541532008_175271.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and in December 2018, having won just two of his fifteen matches at the helm and with the team in [[2018–19 La Liga|the relegation zone]], Berizzo was dismissed. B-team coach [[Gaizka Garitano]] took over<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2018/12/04/sustitucion-de-eduardo-berizzo|title=Replacement of Eduardo Berizzo|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=4 December 2018|access-date=4 December 2018|archive-date=5 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003649/https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2018/12/04/sustitucion-de-eduardo-berizzo|url-status=live}}</ref> and oversaw an improvement in results, with the club moving well out of danger and narrowly missing out on a Europa League spot on the last day.<ref>[https://insideathletic.com/2019/05/18/sevilla-2-0-athletic-club-the-european-dream-comes-to-an-end/ Sevilla 2-0 Athletic Club: the European dream comes to an end] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802133244/https://insideathletic.com/2019/05/18/sevilla-2-0-athletic-club-the-european-dream-comes-to-an-end/ |date=2 August 2019 }}, Inside Athletic Club, 18 May 2019</ref>

{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |title=Celebration of the 2024 Copa del Rey victory |image1=Gabarra eta bestelako ontziak.jpg |width1=250 |caption1=Fans and private boats surround the Athletic Bilbao traditional barge. | image2=Athleticeko gabarra itsasadarrean.jpg |width2=250 |caption2=Athletic Bilbao players riding the traditional barge. |footer=}}
The beginning of the [[2019–20 La Liga|2019–20]] season saw more consistent results. After the first five games of the season, the ''Lions'' sat at the top of the table, their best start in 26 years.<ref>[https://insideathletic.com/2019/09/23/athletic-sending-a-message-with-the-best-start-to-the-season-in-26-years/ Athletic Sending A Message With The Best Start To The Season In 26 Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926160143/https://insideathletic.com/2019/09/23/athletic-sending-a-message-with-the-best-start-to-the-season-in-26-years/ |date=26 September 2019 }}, Inside Athletic Club, 23 September 2019</ref> That form could not be maintained, and by the halfway point they had slipped to mid-table after several draws. However, in the [[2019–20 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]], they survived two penalty shootouts against second-tier opponents and then defeated Barcelona to reach the semi-finals.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/06/barcelona-crisis-grows-athletic-bilbao-copa-del-rey Barcelona crisis grows as Athletic Bilbao knock them out of Copa del Rey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207011040/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/06/barcelona-crisis-grows-athletic-bilbao-copa-del-rey |date=7 February 2020 }}, The Guardian, 6 February 2020</ref> The club then defeated [[Granada CF]] in the semi-final on away goals to meet local rivals Real Sociedad in the final<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51766095 Copa del Rey: Athletic Bilbao beat Granada to set up all-Basque final with Sociedad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109061031/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51766095 |date=9 November 2021 }}, [[BBC Sport]], 5 March 2020</ref> – which was then postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Spain]], both clubs happy to delay in the hope of supporters being able to attend the historic Basque derby occasion. This did not come to pass, and [[2020 Copa del Rey Final|the final]] was eventually played in an empty stadium on 3 April 2021, Real Sociedad emerging winners by a 1–0 scoreline.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lowe|first=Sid|date=3 April 2021|title=Real Sociedad beat Athletic to claim Copa del Rey and Basque glory|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/03/athletic-bilbao-real-sociedad-copa-del-rey-2020-final-match-report|access-date=4 April 2021|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202204143/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/03/athletic-bilbao-real-sociedad-copa-del-rey-2020-final-match-report|url-status=live}}</ref> By that time, Aduriz had finally retired from playing, Garitano had been replaced as coach by [[Marcelino García Toral|Marcelino]], and the [[2020–21 Supercopa de España]] originally intended to follow the delayed cup final was contested, Athletic defeating Real Madrid then Barcelona to claim the trophy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/barcelona-vs-athletic/cronica/2021/01/17/6004bcd422601d7c438b4632.html|title=Williams sinks Barcelona and Athletic claim the Supercopa|newspaper=Marca|first=Arch|last=Bell|date=17 January 2021|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118143148/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/barcelona-vs-athletic/cronica/2021/01/17/6004bcd422601d7c438b4632.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They also defeated Levante in the semi-final of the [[2020–21 Copa del Rey]] to reach the final on 17 April 2021, making them the only team to take part in the showpiece event twice in as many weeks;<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56541183 Athletic Bilbao: Basque club facing two Copa del Rey finals in two weeks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127125756/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56541183 |date=27 November 2021 }}, Alex Bysouth, BBC Sport, 2 April 2021</ref> however, Athletic lost [[2021 Copa del Rey Final|that final]] as well, to Barcelona by a 4–0 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/17/messi-stars-as-barcelona-thrash-athletic-bilbao-to-lift-copa-del-rey|title=Messi stars as Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao to lift Copa del Rey|first=Sid|last=Lowe|work=The Guardian|date=17 April 2021|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428210144/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/17/messi-stars-as-barcelona-thrash-athletic-bilbao-to-lift-copa-del-rey|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2021, a report from the [[International Centre for Sports Studies|International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES)]] showed that Athletic Bilbao and [[FC Desna Chernihiv|Desna Chernihiv]] (Ukraine) were the only teams in European continental competitions without foreign players.They ended the season on 10th place.<ref>{{cite web|title=Desna (Ukraine) and Athletic Bilbao (Spain) the only teams in Europe without foreigners|url=https://www.telecomasia.net/blog/desna-ukraine-and-atletic-bilbao-spain-the-only-teams-in-europe-without-foreigners/|website=www.telecomasia.net|date=18 October 2021|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020091905/https://www.telecomasia.net/blog/desna-ukraine-and-atletic-bilbao-spain-the-only-teams-in-europe-without-foreigners/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The next two seasons saw the same results, narrowly missing out on the Europa Conference League by finishing in 8th and consecutive Copa del Rey Semi final exits although they did finish as Supercopa de Espanã Runners-up in the 2021–22 season, defeating Atlético Madrid and losing to Real Madrid.
In the 2023–24 season however, saw Athletic Bilbao end their 40-year Copa del Rey drought by winning the [[2023-24 Copa del Rey]] against [[RCD Mallorca]] 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in normal time and extra time.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/699336|title=Athletic Club beat Mallorca for 1st Copa del Rey in 40 years|date=7 April 2023|work=ESPN|accessdate=8 April 2024}}</ref>
The campaign included some memorable victories, including a 4–2 win against Barcelona at home and a 4–0 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid.