A new stage

  On January 3, 2021 Gaizka Garitano was dismissed from the Bench of Athletic due to an unacceptable start to the season; He had taken the reins of the club in one of its worst moments of recent years in December 2018. Garitano put us in the 2020 Cup final suspended by Covid, however the impatience of the board led to that decision. Marcelino arrived then on January 4, 2021 with the Super Cup tournament on the doorstep, and with little time in the squad the Asturian achieved the desired title of the Supercopa 2020-2021 beating Real Madrid and Barcelona. It seemed the beginning of something historic given that in that same 2021 the final of the Copa del Rey 2020 postponed against Real Sociedad would be played, and it would put us in the final of the Copa del Rey 2021.  Dreams began; "a triplet" . But fate was another we lost that two finals and also the final of the Super Cup 2021-2022. Perhaps more painful was losing the place of going to the UEFA Conference League in the last match of the 2021-2022 League. So as Marcelino remains for history, I think in a coach who restored confidence to Athletic who discovered players in the quarry and who gave him personality and style of play again. A trophy, three cup runners-up in 17 months of management speak for themselves. 

  Thank you 

Marcelino 

Agur

Jon Urruzuno