The 2006-07 campaign delivered one of the most stressful seasons in Athletic Bilbao's history as Los Leones, a club fiercely proud of never having been relegated, finished a perilous 17th in La Liga. The turmoil included a mid-season managerial change from Félix Sarriugarte to Mané, with the club's top-flight status only being secured on the dramatic final day with a vital 2-0 victory over Levante at San Mamés. Leading the line and providing the crucial goals throughout the struggle was a young Aritz Aduriz, whose 9 goals in the league proved decisive in a tense, hard-fought campaign to avoid the drop.