Athletic Club have confirmed the appointment of Edin Terzic as their new head coach, with the former Borussia Dortmund manager signing a contract until the summer of 2028. The Basque club announced the move on Monday, ending weeks of speculation over who would succeed the departing Ernesto Valverde. Terzic, 43, will take charge following the conclusion of the current La Liga season, which has four matches remaining.
Terzic's arrival marks a significant departure from Athletic's recent tradition, as he becomes the club's first foreign manager since 2018, when Argentine Eduardo 'Toto' Berizzo had a brief and unsuccessful tenure. According to reports from Bilbao, club president Jon Uriarte had secured an agreement with Terzic some time ago, following Valverde's announcement in March that he would be stepping down. Other candidates linked with the role included former players Andoni Iraola, currently at Bournemouth, and Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez.
The German-Croatian coach leaves Dortmund after a second spell in charge that saw him lift the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and come agonizingly close to a Bundesliga title in 2023, before guiding the team to the Champions League final in 2024, where they were defeated by Real Madrid. Prior to his head coaching roles, Terzic gained experience as an assistant manager at West Ham United and Besiktas. Athletic Club's statement highlighted his commitment to youth development as a key factor in his appointment, aligning with the club's famed philosophy of developing homegrown talent.
Terzic inherits a team that has enjoyed a period of notable success under Valverde, who is concluding his third spell in charge. The outgoing manager recently oversaw his 500th game for Athletic and delivered a historic Copa del Rey triumph last season, ending a 40-year wait for the trophy, as well as securing a return to the Champions League. However, the current campaign has been viewed as one of stagnation, with the team unlikely to qualify for Europe's premier competition, prompting a desire for a fresh tactical perspective.
The task for Terzic will be to reinvigorate a squad built around the core of the Basque talent pool while adapting to the unique constraints and culture of Athletic Club. His immediate challenge will be to implement his ideas during pre-season and build on the foundation Valverde leaves behind. The appointment signals Athletic's ambition to remain competitive at the top end of La Liga while staying true to their identity, betting that Terzic's external viewpoint and developmental track record can provide a new impetus.
