Athletic Bilbao

[Pat Murphy]

City/Province: Bilbao, Bizkaia, (Basque Region)
Stadium: San Mamés
Capacity: 39,750
Club Founded: 1898
Manager: Joaquín Caparrós
Nickname: Rojiblancos (Red-Whites), Los Leones (The Lions)



Squad:

Goalkeepers
1. Iñaki Lafuente
13. Daniel Aranzubia
25. Unai Alba

Defenders
2. Unai Exposito
3. Javier Casas Cuevas
4. Ustaritz
6. Iosu Sarriegi
12. Iban Zubiaurre
14. Luis Prieto
19. Ander Murillo
20. Aitor Ocio
45. Gaizka Bergara Picaza

Midfielders
5. Amorebieta
7. Tiko
8. Joseba Garmendia Elorriaga
10. Francisco Javier Yeste
11. Igor Gabilondo
15. Andoni Iraola
16. Pablo Orbaiz
18. Carlos Gurpegi (Banned for 1 more year)
21. Mikel Dañobeitia
24. Javi Martínez
-- Alex García
-- Beñat Etxebarria Urkiaga
-- Muñoz
-- David Cuéllar
-- David López


Strikers
9. Fernando Llorente
17. Joseba Andoni Etxeberria
23. Aritz Aduriz


Players Out:
Ismael Urzáiz to Ajax on a free transfer

Players In:
Muñoz from Osasuna on an Undisclosed Fee
David Cuéllar from Gimnàstic de Tarragona for £250k
Aitor Ocio from Sevilla on an Undisclosed Fee
David López from Osasuna for £3.8million

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Jose Manuel Esnal has quit as coach of Athletic Bilbao after keeping the club in La Liga.

Widely known as Mane, he took over the struggling Basque club in November after Felix Sarriugarte was sacked.

Mane used all his experience to lead Bilbao out of the bottom three and safety was secured via Sunday's 2-0 win over Levante.

Bilbao finished the season just one point, and one place, outside the drop zone as a first relegation from the top flight was avoided.

But Mane has decided he will not be in charge next season, particularly with the club's presidential elections on the horizon.

"I didn't want to get drawn into the electoral process and be linked with any particular candidate," said Mane.

"I'm proud to have worked for Athletic with all my heart."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Joaquin Caparros has resigned as coach of Deportivo La Coruna.

The former Sevilla coach has decided to step down after two seasons at La Riazor.

The 51-year-old helped Depor finish in 13th spot in the Primera Liga this season, but he believes he has taken the club as far as he can.

"It's a personal decision that comes because the job has taken its toll on me over the past two years and I think it is the best time to leave," said Caparros.

"I'm not going to see out my contract because I feel I won't be able to get the best out of the team next season."

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Personally I think what he tried to do was too ambitious, he tried to get a cash strapped club to lose the big wage players and sign a load of 20 year olds to start a new generation for Depor. It's practically failed in the last 2 seasons as with such a young team they couldn't challenge for the title.

Depor lose Arizmendi and probably Andrade next season and won't have much money to spend so the new manager, either Lotina or Marcelino will have to be really smart in the transfer market to get a European place finish.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Caparros set for Bilbao

Joaquin Caparros is to be unveiled as Athletic Bilbao's new coach on Friday.

Having stepped down as Deportivo La Coruna coach at the close of last season, after two years at the helm, Caparros has wasted little time in getting fixed up with a new club.

Although his time at Depor was a decidedly mixed affair, Caparros had previously built up a fine reputation at Sevilla, where he helped develop several promising young players.

Such an ability to coax the best from youth could prove vital at Bilbao, who still operate a policy of only employing players from the Basque region.

Caparros replaces Jose Manuel Esnal, known as 'Mane' in Spain, the man who guided the club to safety last season, after joining the strugglers in November.

Bilbao finished the campaign a point above the relegation zone.

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Big things going on at Bilbao this summer. Firstly the Presidential elections, one candidate wanted to bring Caparros, one wanted to bring Vicente del Bosque (I guess Caparros one is predicted to win).

There is also a lot of talk of Bilbao actually breaking their "cantera" policy of only playing Basque nationality players. Personally I'd like to see them keep it as it's nice to see a club hold onto it's traditions and ideals even if it's costing them success. 76% of Bilbao fans voted that they'd rather get relegated than lose this policy.

They're also leaking money and they have a big problem in that no fantastic Basque's are coming through their youth system so they're having to buy every Basque available for big money (D.Lopez for £4m, Javi Martinez for £4m, Aitor Ocio maybe soon). Problems I hope they get over as most fans like to see them in Primera.

[Pat Murphy]

I fact just checking around it has been confirmed that Fernando García Macua is Bilbao's new President and looking at a Bilbao forum they're all crying as it's the one they didn't want.

His election promises was to bring in Santi Ezquerro, Cuéllar and Xabi Prieto (3 wingers although Santi can play ST and Xabi CM) and having Pre-contracts with Aitor Ocio and Muñoz and may sign Almunia. He's apparently a face with no brains and is being controlled by corporations.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Athletic Bilbao have sealed the signing of Aitor Ocio from Sevilla, with the defender insisting he has "realised a dream".

Ocio becomes the first capture of new boss Joaquin Caparros who was officially unveiled by the Basque outfit on Friday.

The imposing centre half rejoins Athletic after a four-year stint at Sevilla that saw him win four trophies.

He insists he is delighted to be back at the club he supported as a youngster and is adamant that he is a more accomplished player than the one that left the club.

"I am not the young man that had to leave the club," stated the 30-year-old. "I have gained experience both as a player and a person.

"The first time I arrived here I realised a dream from my childhood, which was to wear the Athletic shirt.

"Today I have realised another, to return and be part of this club that I never thought I'd leave."

Ocio is also convinvced that Caparros is the man to lead the Basque club forward after a couple of difficult seasons that have seen them battling relegation.

Caparros - who was installed at the club by new chairman Fernando Garcia Macua - accepted the post after leaving Deportivo La Coruna, and Ocio feels he is a sound choice.

"I think he is a person who will fit perfectly into the philosophy of this club," he continued. "What you can expect from him is hard work and absolute dedication."

Meanwhile, Athletic have cooled their interest in Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

"This option is cancelled," said president Alberto Garcia Macua,

"In the last few weeks we spoke with the agent, but we never presented an offer to Arsenal."

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Well Athletic's biggest weakness is their defence. They let in a lot of goals and even managed to score about 6-8 own goals last season

So in theory Aitor Ocio should be a great signing.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Veteran Spanish striker Ismael Urzaiz has signed a one-year contract with Ajax.

Urzaiz ended his lengthy association with Athletic Bilbao at the end of last season and had been keen to move to England.

But the 35-year-old admits the chance to play UEFA Champions League football with Ajax was too good to refuse.

"For me it is very attractive because I will play in the Champions League again," Urzaiz told the Spanish media.

"After leaving Athletic, my dream was the Premier League, but the offers were not interesting.

"I have spoken with the coach (Henk) Ten Cate and he has convinced me to accept this adventure.

"I am very impressed with the project and it was nearly impossible to reject this chance."

Ajax coach Ten Cate could make it a double swoop after confirming his interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Xabi Prieto.

Ten Cate told Highglow.nl: "He is a good player, a very good player.

"It's about how much that boy wants to come and Ajax reach an agreement with his club.

"He's a good player, you don't have to have doubts about that. He is a technically skilled player for who people come to the stadium to see."

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Urzaiz is a good bench option, he won't start but if Ajax are down and they need to play route 1 football then he's useful for his height and heading abilities.

[Pat Murphy]

Del Horno in Bilbao Link

Asier Del Horno has insisted that he will only leave Valencia to join a club of equal standing or to move back to Athletic Bilbao.

The Spain international has been told he has no future at Mestalla, but is refusing to be sold to a club that he does not want to join.

Valencia have mooted the idea of a season on loan at Athletic and are in negotiations with the Basque Country outfit, but the talks are ongoing.

"They talked with Valencia, but it does not appear that any agreement has been reached," the player's brother and agent, David Del Horno, said.

"The agreement has to be between Athletic and Valencia. There is not much we can do, although Asier is ready.

"The probolem is that it is not us that has started all this.

"They have to find a solution, but football is always changing."

The former Chelsea defender was linked with a move to FC Barcelona last week, but that news was taken with a pinch of salt by the player himself..

"That surprised me a lot because they have just signed Abidal and I do not understand why they would want another left-back," Del Horno added.

While the Valencia squad continue pre-season training in Holland, Del Horno has remained in Spain to reach full fitness alongside fellow outcast Curro Torres.

The 26-year-old joined Valencia last summer from Chelsea and signed a five-year deal at Mestalla, reportedly worth €1.8m-per-season.

After picking up a thigh injury that kept him out of the World Cup Finals, Del Horno then missed the majority of the campaign after requiring surgery.

from Goal.com

Goal.com - Valencia - Del Horno Reveals Transfer Demands


The other 2 presidential candidates said they had deals in place to sign Del Horno. The new president Macau did not have any plans to sign him but the majority of the Bilbao fans would want him back.

Casas is a good LB, but they should really continue strengthening their defence. Defence is maybe Bilbao's weakest point, they scored 8 own goals last season

[Pat Murphy]

Goal.com - Valencia - Athletic Hopeful Of Del Horno Deal

Linked again with Del Horno. Personally I think if he does step back at San Mames he might be booed to start with as Bilbao are a proud club and he went chasing the $$$. Booed or not he'd be a sizable capture for them as they can't really be too picky about what Basque players they get.

[jec1]

Of course he did, every player is greedy but in this case, I believe he will be welcomed back.