The 2005-06 campaign delivered a heartbreaking, one-season return to La Liga for Alaves as the Babazorros finished 18th and were immediately relegated back to the Segunda División. Having earned promotion just the year before, the season was marked by severe managerial turmoil under the controversial presidency of Dmitry Piterman. Despite the chaos, Australian forward John Aloisi, joining on a free transfer, proved his quality by grabbing a crucial 10 goals, but his efforts were not enough to save the club from the drop after a dramatic fight for survival. It was a turbulent year that saw the club's bright hopes extinguished, marking a temporary end to their top-flight dreams.