Known as Franco’s team, Athletico Bilbao had their name renewed in 1941, know as the decree by Franco. Francisco Franco, the Spanish general stapled command through Athletico Bilboa in the initial years. But we are not here to discuss Franco’s Bilboa but the last of the long serving Bilboans in the current team.

2008-2010 saw a majority of youth players enter the main team to garner playing immediately. Moving up the system, these youth players worked their ways playing through Bilbao Athletic or Athletico Bilbao B, the secondary team playing in the lower division (Segunda Division B). Markel Susaeta, Ander Iturraspe, Mikel San Jose and Iker Munian, all entered the first team limelight during this period. All of them having the One-Team man mentality (devoting their entire career to the same club).

Together as a force Athletic Bilbao raced to successive Copa Del Rey finals but end up in the losing side to a rampant Barcelona side in 08-09, 11-12 and 14-15. Managed by Marcelo Beilsa, Athletico Bilbao had also reached the Europa League finals in the 11-12 only to beaten again but this time by Athletico Madrid. Bilbao’s position was never a great view as they flickered all over the top 10 in La Liga, only to finish as high as 4^th in 14-15 season. Their only trophy came in 2015 when then finally beat Barcelona over the two legs on an aggregate of 5-1 in the Spanish Supercupo.

Tragedy was to hit the team’s faithful in 2018-19 season. All of these players were running out of contract by the end of the season, while the team was sitting in the relegation zone just like the previous season. Club captain, Markel Susaeta was being blamed for not signing a new contract extension. News flashed all over Spain over the contract controversy. While Munian signed the contract extension in late November’18, Susaete and Iturraspe were still not signing new contract extension. The rift had increased to such a stage that Susaete openly acknowledged the disagreement in contract signing in January, that led to a massive negative turn over for him.

While Munian was quoted for his comment – “I didn’t want a release clause because I do not want to have a price or be for sale. I want to go hand in hand with Athletic to the end… I want to be here for the rest of my career helping the club achieve nice things” – Bilbao were safe and were aiming for the Europa League spots at 8^th position. The final match involved a huge amount of tributes to the departing captain Susaeta and fellow long serving Iturraspe at home which they needed to win to secure the 7^th position. Unfortunately, Athletico Bilbao lost to a strong Seville side 0-2.

While Susaeta pledged to never play in Europe to avoid playing against Bilboa, he moved to Japan to play in the J1 League for Gamba Osaka, showing his devotion and love for the team. Iturraspe joined Espanyol. Both the captain and the vice-captain had left the club leaving on Munian and San Jose as the only ones from that 2008-2010 youth club. Munian is the new club captain for this 19/20 season whereas the last faithful San Jose’s contract is running out at the end of the season and hasn’t renewed yet. It seems to be another acquaintance situation as seen earlier with Susaeta and Iturraspe.

Currently Athletico Bilbao is sitting at 9^th position in the league managed by Gaizka Garitano who himself was a former player for Bilbao. It seems like Iker Munian shall remain the last Bilboan from 08-10 era of youth academy graduate, while he captains his side to glory.

That’s it for now folks.

Cheers