Deportivo, in their third season under coach Javier Irureta, began 2000–01 as defending La Liga champions, having won their first ever top flight title the previous year.

After a goalless first leg at Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc,[2] Depor scored twice in three minutes through Djalminha and Diego Tristán at Estadio Riazor to claim the trophy with a 2–0 win.

[5] They came up against English side Leeds United in the quarter-finals, and gave themselves an uphill task by losing the first leg 3–0 at Elland Road.

[6] The champions couldn't quite match their previous performance in La Liga, although they were still able to finish as runners-up, seven points behind Real Madrid.

The real disappointment of the season was saved for the Copa del Rey, where Deportivo were beaten 3–2 by Segunda División side Tenerife in the round of 32,[7] marking their earliest exit from the competition since 1992–93.