Valverde: "It was a beautiful day for everyone"

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde was pleased to see Los Leones get back to winning ways with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sevilla FC at San Mames on Sunday evening.

Iker Muniain and Raul Garcia scored the goals as they bid farewell to The Cathedral.

"When you think about your career, you want to say goodbye like this," Valverde said about the match.

"To score a goal, for the team to win, to contribute to achieving the aim he wanted. I would have loved to have been able to write it, but it wasn't pre-prepared.

"I always write scripts in my mind and they never come out like this. It was a beautiful day for everyone in every way.

"It was important for us to secure fifth place and then we wanted to pay tribute to these two players in the way they deserve. They helped us to win."

The gaffer put Athletic's fantastic campaign down to being strong at home, admitting it has made a big difference.

He said: "Last year away we had reasonable figures, this year too. The difference has been that this year we have been strong here, which is how Athletic always should be.

"We have to make our stadium, our fans and our determination count. Last season we had it, but we weren't clinical

"This season we have been. The campaign in LaLiga was great and winning the Copa was extraordinary.

Valverde spoke about Oscar de Marcos' contract extension, saying the new captain "represents what an Athletic player should be".

He contined: "We all know De Marcos. Just like Muniain and Raúl. He will be heard a lot of times and we know what he is going to give us off the pitch because you can see it in the way he communicates.

"On the pitch as well. You only have to watch the game. It's essential to maintain those role models now that two are leaving."