Boos for Athletic after emotional tributes to Ernesto Valverde and Íñigo Lekue | OneFootball

According to El Correo, an emotional San Mamés farewell to Ernesto Valverde and Íñigo Lekue turned into loud protests from the home crowd. Athletic drew, squandering their slim European hopes.

Within minutes the mood flipped, Williot put Celta ahead in the fourth minute and the first wave of whistles crashed around the ground.

Jeers persisted through a poor first half. A scuffed Álex Berenguer free-kick and defensive lapses further irritated a weary crowd, who again booed as the players left for the break.

Improved play after half-time drew more encouragement, but the final whistle brought more boos. The club delayed the anthem so protests could be heard, then they returned as the squad gathered mid-pitch to say goodbye. Attendance was 45,105, the season’s second lowest.

It had begun with a tribute to Valverde and Lekue before the season’s last home game. Valverde later said it was an emotional afternoon for both, and that the affection and respect from the stands meant a great deal.

A huge tifo had already marked Valverde’s 500 games weeks earlier, and the definitive homage came here. Dozens of former players and staff from his three spells, 2003-2005, 2013-2017 and 2022-2026, formed a guard of honour led by José Ángel Iribar.

Iribar handed Valverde a statue in his familiar crouched touchline pose, drawing huge applause. Lekue then received a shirt with his number and posed with team-mates and coaches, as he departs after 11 seasons without a renewal offer.

Source: El Correo