Marcelo Bielsa agrees new deal with Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa has signed a new twelve-month contract, keeping him at the club until June 2013.

A club statement confirmed today: "Athletic and coach Marcelo Bielsa have agreed to extend the contractual relationship linking both sides until 30 June 2013."

Bielsa took Bilbao to the final of both the Europa League and Copa del Rey in a promising season with the Basque club.

Bilbao stunned observes with a wonderful run in Europe, taking high profile scalps including Manchester United and Schalke 04.

Bielsa will now be hoping to keep his talented young squad together, with star names Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez courted by the continent's biggest teams.