Athletic Club and coach Gaizka Garitano has separated their ways, according to a club statement.
After having been in charge of the club’s B team since July 2017, Garitano joined the first team at Athletic in December 2018. He led the club in 89 games, including to the yet-to-be-played final of the Copa del Rey.
Athletic thanked Garitano, a qualified journalist and an open advocate of Basque independence, for the dedication and effort he has shown during his time in charge of the club and wished him all the best for the future.
On New Year’s Eve, Athletic was beaten by Real Sociedad in the Basque derby, with the San Sebastian side outshining their historically bigger rivals in recent years.
Thanks to a 25th minute strike from captain Iker Muniain, Athletic beat Elche earlier today, and sat ninth in La Liga at the time of Garitano’s dismissal, between Real Betis and Celta Vigo.
