Athletic Club has officially announced Edin Terzic as their new head coach, signing him to a contract that runs until 2028. The appointment of the former Borussia Dortmund manager was widely anticipated, and the club has now confirmed that Terzic will succeed Ernesto Valverde.
Following Valverde’s announcement in March that he would be stepping down, there was considerable speculation regarding his successor. Names like Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth and Inigo Perez of Rayo Vallecano, both ex-players for Athletic, were frequently mentioned. However, with the club having internal knowledge of Valverde’s departure for some time, it appears President Jon Uriarte had already secured an agreement with Terzic.
Terzic Becomes First Foreign Manager Since 2018
Terzic, who has no prior coaching experience in Spain, will take charge on a two-year deal. He becomes the first foreign manager at the club since 2018. That previous foreign tenure, under Toto Berizzo, proved unsuccessful despite his prior achievements at Celta Vigo. Before Berizzo, Marcelo Bielsa enjoyed a memorable spell in Bilbao.
Terzic’s Coaching Background
Terzic brings a strong track record, having won the German Pokal in 2021 during his second spell at Dortmund. He narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga title in 2023 and reached the Champions League final in 2024, where Real Madrid ultimately triumphed. His coaching experience also includes assistant roles at West Ham United and Besiktas.
Athletic Club stated that Terzic will be formally presented after the current season concludes, with four matches remaining. This appointment marks the end of Valverde’s third tenure, during which the Basque manager recently coached his 500th game for the club. Valverde’s successful reign saw Athletic return to the Champions League after a decade and secure their first Copa del Rey in over forty years. However, with the team’s performance becoming somewhat stagnant this season, Terzic is expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to the squad.