The 2011-12 campaign delivered a devastating end to an era for Sporting Gijon as the Rojiblancos finished a crushing 19th in La Liga, which resulted in relegation after a five-year stay in the top flight. Leading the charge for a desperate fight for survival was veteran forward David Barral, whose 9 goals anchored the attack amid a season of turmoil that included the mid-season sacking of long-serving manager Manolo Preciado. Despite the arrival of Javier Clemente, the team ultimately fell short, marking a painful but defining chapter that ended their spell in the Spanish top tier.