Athletic Bilbao: Basque-ing in Glory

EKIZA URGES OCEANO TALKS

Athletic Bilbao star Borja Ekiza has pleaded for the board to offer boss Oceano Cruz a new bumper deal in the light of a possible approach from Barcelona.

Oceano’s contract with Bilbao is up at the end of the season and his agent has already hinted a move to Barcelona is likely but centre back Ekiza has requested to the board to do everything they can to keep their manager at San Mames.

“After the season we had, it would be foolish not to offer Oceano a new contract. It has been a long time since we finished in 2nd. We managed to break the Real Madrid and Barcelona dominance and achieve Champions’ League football all in one season.

“Who could have imagined that at the beginning of the season? From the inside, I can tell you never in a million years could we have done this without Oceano’s leadership. We should fight tooth and nail to keep him.

“He’s somebody who deserves a big contract because he’s more than just a manager. He treats us like friends and family which is important for harmony. We are never put under stress to perform at the highest level. We just do it for the joy which ultimately is how we all fell in love with football.

“People like this aren’t easy to find and we have in my opinion a very good and rare manager that with time can make history. He must stay.”

Oceano is expected to return from holiday early this week as Barcelona attempt to appoint a manager within the next few days.

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KLOPP MOVES TO BARCA

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp will be the new boss of Barcelona having won the Bundesliga this season.

The German replaces Tito Vilanova who quit football for health reasons after winning the double for ‘Los Cules’.

Klopp was one of the frontrunners for the job before Athetic Bilbao boss Oceano Cruz seemed set to be the next man at the helm after an impressive first season in La Liga.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell admitted he never got into concrete talks with Oceano and that he was just a name they regarded as a possibility.

“We searched for a manager who was available and one of the best around at the moment. It’s obvious with the season Athletic Bilbao had, Oceano would be an option but he never surpassed the possibility stage.

“We opted for Jurgen Klopp, who we take great pride in announcing today. Klopp was our preferred choice as we feel it is the kind of football that connects to us.

“Klopp is a terrific and youthful manager and I believe together the club can continue to be successful.”

Klopp’s first official challenge will be against job rival Oceano for the Spanish Supercopa 1st leg in August, should the Portuguese renew with Athletic Bilbao.

OCEANO SIGNS NEW DEAL

Oceano Cruz has finally renewed his contract with Athletic Bilbao following deep rumours of a switch to La Liga champions Barcelona.

The 51 year old cut his holidays short to agree terms with Bilbao, signing a new four year contract until 2017 on £30,000 a week.

The Portuguese manager was heavily linked to the vacant Barcelona job before the appointment of Jurgen Klopp from Dortmund but Oceano has denied any developing interest of his own in the job.

“It was never something I was completely aware of. I didn’t speak to Barcelona and I don’t know if they ever approached my agent. Once I heard the rumours were blowing up, I made the decision to cut my time off and clarify this.

“My plan A was always to continue at Bilbao and I’m very happy to sit here today with a new contract under me. We have a big season ahead of us and we must prepare for it as efficiently as possible.”

Throughout the days infested with rumours regarding his future, many Bilbao figures both past and present such as centre back Borja Ekiza pleaded for Oceano to stay, a factor he deemed decisive when negotiating.

“It was great to hear such kind words with regards to my work and character. This ultimately helped both parties come to a decision I think to strike a deal. I was very happy with the encouragement I received and I felt the board were pleased to see the degree of harmony we have internally.

“It was an easy choice for me. I have a brilliant squad here with the likes of Ekiza etc. and the fact they made feelings public just cemented my future really. That sort of praise meant a lot.”

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BILBAO’S NEW HOME

Athletic Bilbao will enter the 2013/14 season amongst new surroundings as they welcome opponents to the newly built San Mames Barria stadium.

The 53,000 seated ground replaces the original San Mames stadium located yards beside it which will eventually be demolished this summer.

With brand new under soil heating and a state of the art pitch, ‘Los Leones’ will welcome Barcelona to their new home on the 21st August when the two sides dispute the 1st leg of the Spanish Super Cup.



President Josu Urrutia revealed his excitement at a new chapter for Bilbao who recently renewed a deal with last season’s managerial sensation, Oceano Cruz.

“A new stadium is something the fans have been longing for. After much hard work and compromise on our competitive front, we’ve come through in a financially secure state with a beautiful stadium.

“It is a very exciting time to be a Bilbao fan at the moment as we take huge strides to impose ourselves on a continental stage. We now have a new stadium as an omen and are desperate to bring some success here as soon as possible.”

Season ticket sales are expected to rise despite the financial crisis in Spain as Athletic Bilbao return to the Champions’ League this season for the first time since 1999.