BILBAO, SPAIN – Ernesto Valverde, the experienced coach of Athletic Club, announced that he will not continue at the helm of the team once the current season ends. The decision was made by mutual agreement with the club’s board. Valverde, who holds the record for most matches managed in the club’s history with 494 games, communicated his decision through a video released on the team’s official channels. The coach indicated that this is a decision “matured over time” and previously discussed with the entity.
At 62 years old, Valverde is preparing to face the final stretch of his third spell on the San Mamés bench (2022-2026), completing a ten-year cycle at the helm of the Bilbao team, adding his previous periods (2003-2005 and 2013-2017). During his management, Athletic Club achieved significant sporting successes, including the Spanish Super Cup 2015 and the Copa del Rey 2024. This last title was especially significant, as it ended a 40-year drought without lifting the trophy. Under his management, the club also qualified twice for the Champions League and maintained a prominent regularity in LaLiga, consistently positioning itself among the top positions in the championship. In addition to his successful career as a coach, Valverde left an indelible mark as an Athletic footballer between 1990 and 1996. During that period, he played 188 matches and scored 50 goals, establishing himself as an emblematic figure of the institution. The club announced that Valverde’s official farewell will take place at the end of the season, marking the end of one of the most successful and representative periods in the recent history of the Basque team.I wanted to share that next season I will not be the coach of Athletic. It’s a decision I’ve been thinking about for a while,” said Valverde, who also emphasized his commitment to close the season with the greatest possible competitiveness.
Ernesto Valverde
