Page "Athletic Bilbao" Paragraph 23

After Jupp Heynckes second cycle ( 2001 – 2003 ) and Ernesto 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 the Estadio 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 – 07 season.

The 2006 – 07 season has been the worst in the club's history ; top-flight survival was ensured on the last match day when Levante UD were beaten at the San Mamés 2 – 0.