The 1979–80 season is Real Madrid Club de Fútbol's78th season in existence and the club's 49th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football.
During summer changes came to the bench, Real Zaragoza's Yugoslavian head coach Vujadin Boskov signed in to replace Luis Molowny as new trainer.[1] After the departure of Danish Forward Henning Jensen to Ajax Amsterdam, the club seek to reinforce the left side, rumours included several players such as René van de Kerkhof from PSV Eindhoven and Rüdiger Abramczik from Schalke 04,[2] however the manager favoured the arrival of Laurie Cunningham who became the first British player to play for the club, the forward was transferred in from West Bromwich Albion.[3] Defender Goyo Benito received La Laureada (The Laureate) from President Luis de Carlos due to his outstanding compromise and playing for the club being only one of two players with that distinction.[4] Other two players reinforced "The Madrid of Los García"[5] such as Perez García from Real Madrid Castilla and Antonio García Navajas from Burgos CF.[6]
In European Cup the team reached the Semi-finals and was eliminated by Western German side Hamburg SV despite won 2–0 in Madrid, the squad plummeted in the second leg of the series 1–5.[7] Meanwhile, in 1979–80 Copa del Rey the squad advanced to the 1980 Copa del Rey Final and won the trophy against its reserve team Real Madrid Castilla[8] 6–1 in front of 65,000 spectators at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[9]
The club clinched its 20th League title became its third Three-peat ever[10] by just one single point above runners-up emerging Real Sociedad[11] after the then-undefeated in last 38 league matches basque side lost its game on round 32 against Sevilla CF thanks to 2 goals of Daniel Bertoni.[12] Added to its Copa del Rey trophy, the team could won its third "The Double" ever.
Squad[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.