2009-13

FOUR DIFFICULT SEASONS IN SEGUNDA B

The 2009-2010 season was the first of three consecutive unsuccessful charges at promotion. The club came especially close in the 2010-11 season, in which it fell to defeat by Sabadell in the playoffs. These four seasons in Segunda B were particularly complicated, but the loyal fan base stuck with the team through thick and thin and never lost the belief that they would return to Segunda A. The team continued to display its courage and strength throughout this spell, but never quite managed to cross the finishing line and achieve the ultimate goal of promotion.

In the summer of 2012, the club turned to appoint a young manager who, during his successful spell as an Eibar player, came within one point of promotion to the First Division. This was the popular ex-captain Gaizka Garitano, who was handed the reins to the first team squad.

During his first season in charge, Garitano was able to write his name into the Eibar history books after guiding his team to a famous two-legged cup victory over Athletic Club. After a goalless first game at Ipurua, a Mikel Arruabarrena penalty was enough to send Eibar through to the next round in a legendary tie at the San Mamés stadium. An 88th minute Aduriz equaliser was not enough to prevent Eibar from eliminating the Bilbao-based club on the away goals rule, marking a famous date in the history of the club.

This same season brought even more successes to SD Eibar. The club returned to the Segunda A after finishing runners-up to Alavés in the league, and seeing off Alcoyano and Hospitalet in the playoffs – the former being an agonising affair which required a last gasp winner from Diego Jiménez.