Athletic Club continues to flourish both on the pitch and within its deeply-rooted philosophy of teamwork and excellence, as evidenced by recent performances from its current players and the influence of its historical coaches.
On December 23, 2024, Iñigo Pérez, the head coach of Rayo Vallecano, reflected on the imprint of the Athletic Club on his coaching style. He attributed much of his approach to the teachings of notable coaches from Athletic, including Ernesto Valverde, Marcelo Bielsa, and Andoni Iraola. Describing himself as "quite obsessive and very perfectionistic," Pérez made it clear how these influences helped shape his identity as a coach, stating, "If we sum up the traits of each coach and drink from those sources, I would like one of my team's signatures to be going onto the field and exposing ourselves. From there, we have to maintain order." His comments were reported by DAZN, immediately following Rayo Vallecano’s recent match against Real Betis, which ended in a hard-fought draw.
Reflecting on this tie, Pérez was satisfied with his team's efforts, indicating they pushed their opponents to the limit, especially considering they were playing away at the challenging Benito Villamarín stadium. Despite his young tenure as head coach, having taken the reins just after the dismissal of Francisco mid-season last year, Pérez is committed to learning and finding the right formula for success.
Meanwhile, Iñaki Williams has become synonymous with success at Athletic Club, having recently carved out his space among the club’s legends. He is tied with teammate Oihan Sancet as the club’s top scorer this season, each with eight goals. Beyond scoring, he also leads the team with five assists, demonstrating his dual threat as both scorer and playmaker. Williams displayed this against Osasuna, where he earned accolades for his relentless pressure and selfless play, providing significant contributions even when he did not score. His performance was so commanding, he was designated the MVP of the match, which was his 445th appearance, placing him among the top 10 players by appearances for the club, alongside legends like Aitor Larrazabal and José Ángel Iribar.
His statistics over eleven seasons have been remarkable, racking up 108 goals and firmly establishing himself among Athletic's all-time greats. He consistently finds ways to impact matches, whether through clinical finishes or pinpoint assists, engaging with the tactical principles instilled by his club’s philosophy. This season alone, he has not only factored heavily in La Liga but also made significant contributions during European fixtures, reflecting Athletic's commitment to competing both domestically and internationally.
The essence of Athletic Club's philosophy is evident as it blends historical influence with present-day execution. Coaches like Pérez uphold the legacy left by the likes of Valverde, Bielsa, and Iraola, emphasizing not just results, but the manner of play and character displayed by the team. The commitment to exposing themselves tactically without losing structure is something Pérez aspires to incorporate as part of his team's identity, which echoes the very spirit of the Athletic brand.
Under the shared philosophies of precision, teamwork, and community focus, Athletic Club seems poised not only to uphold its traditions but also to evolve with the new generation of players, champions like Iñaki Williams, who embodies the lion-hearted spirit of the club. This strategic blend of youthful exuberance and historic influence ensures the continued success of the Athletic legacy, promising not only to engage fans but also to attract new talent eager to don the iconic red and white stripes.
