| Season: | 2001–02 |
| Stadium: | San Mamés |
| Manager: | Jupp Heynckes |
| Mgrtitle: | Head coach |
| Chrtitle: | President |
| Chairman: | Javier Uría |
| League: | La Liga |
| League Result: | 9th |
| Cup1: | Copa del Rey |
| Cup1 Result: | Semi-finals |
| League Topscorer: | Ismael Urzaiz (16 goals)[1] |
| Season Topscorer: | Ismael Urzaiz (18 goals) |
| Prevseason: | 2000–01 |
| Nextseason: | 2002–03 |
The 2001–02 season was the 101st season in Athletic Bilbao's history and their 71st consecutive season in La Liga, the top division of Spanish football.
Ahead of the season, head coach Txetxu Rojo departed after only one season in charge, returning to his previous post at Real Zaragoza. In his place, Athletic hired German Jupp Heynckes, who had been out of work since leaving Portuguese club Benfica the previous September.[2] [3] Heynckes was returning to San Mamés, having previously coached the club between 1992 and 1994,[2] and he had had considerable success in the meantime, winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 1998.[3]
Heynckes was able to guide the Bilbao side back into the La Liga top ten, securing a ninth-place finish.[4] They enjoyed a successful run in the Copa del Rey, reaching the semifinals before being defeated by eventual runners-up Real Madrid. This marked their best cup run since reaching the same stage in 1986 - 87.