Clemente answers Athletic call

Former Spain coach Javier Clemente has been appointed coach of struggling Athletic Club Bilbao for the third time after the Primera División's bottom club sacked José Luis Mendilibar after just four months in charge.

'Sad and difficult'
Mendilibar, who took over from Ernesto Valverde in June, became the first coach in the Spanish top flight to lose his job this season. After his new side began the league season with victory against Basque rivals Real Sociedad de Fútbol, Athletic have slipped to the foot of the table with six points from their ten games to date. "It is a very sad and difficult day for the club because it isn't a nice decision to take," said Athletic president Fernando Lamikiz. "We are losing a great coach and a great person who we had hoped would be a long-term appointment."

Third spell
Clemente, 55, will therefore take charge for a third time at the Bilbao club, who he led to league titles in 1982/83 and 1983/84. Born in Barakaldo on the outskirts of the city, Clemente was a promising striker at the club until a knee injury forced him to retire at the age of 24. He was appointed Athletic coach in 1981 and within two years had guided them to their first league title since 1956. A year later he led them to a league and cup double.

Vast experience
He then moved on to RCD Espanyol, who he took to the 1988 UEFA Cup final where they lost on penalties against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. A second short spell at Athletic followed in 1991 before Clemente took over the Spanish national side and guided them to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and EURO '96™ before stepping down in September 1998. He has subsequently become something of a specialist at attempting to save clubs from relegation, having brief spells at Real Betis Balompié, Real Sociedad, Espanyol again and French side Olympique de Marseille. Since being sacked by Espanyol in 2003, Clemente has been working in the media.

Sentimental link
"It's a difficult situation and everyone should be aware that we must face this collectively, even those who might have been against my appointment," Clemente said. "Obviously I have a sentimental attachment to Athletic because they have always been my club, I am excited at the prospect of working for the team and I hope that it works out favourably and we can start to enjoy football again."