The 1999-00 campaign delivered a season of transition and disappointment for Athletic Bilbao as Los Leones slumped to an 11th-place finish in La Liga, the first time outside the top ten under manager Luis Fernández. Leading the attack was the talented forward Joseba Etxeberria, whose 12 goals across all competitions were crucial in a season built on inconsistency and underperformance. It was a challenging year that led to the departure of long-serving coach Luis Fernández, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter at San Mamés and ushering in a period of change.