During summer the club board sacked Vicente Cantatore[1] after a disappointing season that included relegation issues and appointed Eintracht Frankfurt German head coach Jupp Heynckes[2] who managed Athletic Bilbao in 1992–94.

Arrivals included Yugoslav midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic from Real Oviedo after a failed bid by Atletico Madrid's new trainer Radomir Antic,[3] Pavel Hapal and defender Alexis Suarez.

On the contrary, several players left the club: midfielders Diego Latorre, Jose del Solar, Percy Olivares and left-back Paqui.

Also, Argentinian Striker Juan Antonio Pizzi[4] won the Pichichi Trophy after scored 31 league goals.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.