The arrival of the German coach comes as a blow of fresh air to Lezama, and in his first season as head coach of Athletic, he achieves an eighth place. In his second season with the club, he classifies for the UEFA Cup, where he achieves a notable fifth place. The German coach decides to leave the Club when he finishes the two-year contract, which he has signed with Athletic.

The arrival of Jose María Arrate to the presidency produces the signing of Javier Irureta as Athletic's head coach. "Jabo" had trouble relating to the fans at San Mamés and resigns at the half-season. His substitute, Jose María Amorrortu finished the season, and even in the last match of the Liga, the club is fighting for European classification, although this isn't achieved.

The following season is one of the most difficult for the Club . In the summer of 1995, Athletic signs Joseba Etxeberria. The Board of Directors decide to make the cancellation clause (which amounts to 550 Million) effective, and the player from Elgoibar is incorporated to the red and white squad.

Under the services of Dragoslav Stepanovic, as Athletic is about to go into places of descent, only in the final match, with an anguished victory against Rayo Vallecano at San Mamés, by 3 goals to one, is salvation achieved. Three goals by Kuko Ziganda, all of them assisted by Joseba Etxeberria, save Athletic.

The Board of Directors hit right on target when they decide to sign Luis Fernández for the 96/97 season. The Club also signs up the services of Ismael Urzaiz, Jose Mari and Lizarazu.

The season is quite exciting, and can't have a better ending since, in the next to last match, classification for the UEFA Cup is achieved. Athletic is still a ‘buyer’ club and, despite the fact that Karanka and Lizarazu have left, the club is reinforced by Alkorta and Ferreira’s return; by Lasa, Javi González, Nagore, Lacruz and, above all, by Roberto Ríos, for whom the club from Bilbao pays 2.000 million pesetas. Management’s efforts in conceiving a competitive team are compensated as Athletic achieves second place in the general classification - therefore winning the right to participate in the next Champions League - precisely the same year of Athletic Club’s Centennial, in 1998. Athletic arrives at the last match of the 97/98 season, relying only on itself. The last match is celebrated at San Mamés and the rival is Zaragoza. A goal by Joseba Etxeberria, gives the victory to Athletic, and therefore the classification to play the Champions League All of Bilbao celebrates the victory in style, as can be expected.

During 1998 precisely, various events are held to celebrate the club’s Centennial. Pavarotti acts in San Mamés, Brazil’s national team contends a match against Athletic in La Catedral, a caravan travels through many different locations of Biscay; and, above all, a congress of Athletic’s Supporter Clubs is celebrated at Etxebarria Park, where red and white families from all over the world gathered. Athletic couldn't have celebrated its centenary in a better way. After 14 years waiting, Athletic makes its comeback to continental competition.

The 1998/99 season is an irregular campaign. At times, the team threatens with participation in the Champions League, however, its efficiency in the Liga suffers some up and downs. In the end, Athletic holds on to eighth place, fighting until the last match, to achieve the UEFA classification. In the Spanish Cup, the team is eliminated by Racing Santander, and in the Champions League, after taking part in a complicated group, with Juventus, Rosenborg and Galatasaray, it is also eliminated, despite showing an excellent level of play. Athletic draws in Turin, and only a lack of fortune at times, hampers the team’s progress into the next round.

Another season without participating in European competition, yet with the objective of returning as soon as possible. The preseason can't have a better start. Athletic returns to the "Torneo Colombino" and after eliminating the host, Recreativo de Huelva, defeats Málaga in the final and brings home one of the most prestigious trophies of the summer. The team is strengthened by Roberto Martínez, "Tiko" - who hails from Osasuna - and releases Pablo Orbaiz, to the team from Navarra. Athletic also transfers Bolo to Rayo Vallecano. This is yet another irregular season, with up and downs, that ends with the team in eleventh place. In the Spanish Cup, Athletic falls to Rayo Vallecano, after loosing in San Mamés 0-1, and drawing to nil in Vallecas. When the League competition is nearly over, the decision is made that Luis Fernandez abandon the bench at the end of the season, despite having another year of contract. The French technician was in his fourth season at Athletic, and his replacement would be Txetxu Rojo, former player of the club and part of its living history; as well as "Distinguished Member" of Athletic since 1984.

The new season brings about few changes to the red and white team. Edu Alonso, Ferreira, Sívori, Nagore and José Mari leave the Club and the only player signed is Carlos Merino, from Nottingham Forest. Fran Yeste and Dani Aranzubia make the definitive jump to the first team and Pablo Orbaiz returns after the concession period at Osasuna. From the beginning, luck does not accompany, above all with relation to injuries, and the team occupies an intermediate position in the table throughout the Liga, finishing in 12th position. David Cuéllar, Asier Del Horno, Aranzubia, Merino and Orbaiz, were starters that season. In the Spanish Cup, the team does not make it past 1/8 finals either, and after eliminating Aurrerá Vitoria and San Sebastián de los Reyes, the team is defeated by Racing. Perhaps, the most significant news of the season comes when Jose Maria Arrate makes the decision not to run for re-election. In the end, Javier Uría and Fernando Lamikiz, both of them former managers of the club, face off for the Presidency of the Club. On 1 June, after the elections held at Ibaigane Palace, Javier Uria is elected president. On Tuesday, 19 June, Jose María Arrate transfers the powers of the Club to the new President.

Datorren denboraldian, Athletic Cluben talde nagusiak txarto hasi eta ondo amaitutako ibilbidea egin zuen Liga-txapelketan eta azken buruan UEFAko Koparako sailkatzeko atarian geratu zen. Hasiera zalantzatsu baten ostean, denboraldiaurrean nahiz Ligako lehenengo partidan jasandako lesioek oztopaturik eta adorea era pixka bat moteldurik Gurpegi kasua zela-eta, Jupp Heynckesek zuzendutakoek bigarren itzuli ikusgarria egin zuten. Hasi, orduan sailkapeneko buru zen Real Sociedadek bere garaitubakotasuna San Mamesen galdu zuenetik eta Real Madrilen txapeldunaren, aurrean galdutako partidaraino, aldi berean Klubaren arestiko historiako egunik zail eta mingarrienak bizi ondoren Javier Uriaren heriotzarekin.

Huts-egiterik handiena Kopan gertatu zen; Bigarren B mailako talde batek, Iruneko Real Unionek, kalera bidali zuen bigarren kanporaketan, 2 eta 1 irabazita Irunen. Ekaiaren 18an zurigorri on bat joan zitzaigun. Javier Uriaren urte biko agintaldia, bera Ibaiganeko besaulkira heldu eta gutxira diagnostikatu zitzaion gaixotasunak markaturik egon zen. Patu anker eta bidegabea. Zurigorrien egoitza ugari izan ziren Athleticeko Lehendakariari azken omenaldia egitera eta agur esatera etorritako pertsonaiak eta herritar arruntak Athleticen bandera masta erdian zebilen airean. San Vicente Martiriaren eliza, Bizkaiko hiriburuaren erdi-erdian kokatua, izan zen Javier Uria azken gorazarre jendetsua eskaintzeko agertokia.

2003-04 denboraldian, sei urte eta gero Europara itzuliz eman dio bukaera Athletic Clubek denboraldi bikainari Errege kopa, Denboraldiko txarrena izan zen eta Kopatik at utzi zuen Torrelavegako Gimnasticak, 2-1 galdu ondoren, El Maleconen.

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