Athletic Club reach agreement with Edin Terzic to succeed Valverde
Athletic Club have reached an agreement with Edin Terzic for him to become their new head coach from the start of the 2026-27 season, according to reports from El Correo. The 43-year-old German is set to take over at San Mames following the departure of Ernesto Valverde, whose contract expires this summer. The deal, which has been the preference of club president Jon Uriarte, is expected to be officially confirmed in the coming weeks.
Terzic, who has been out of management since leaving Borussia Dortmund after their 2024 Champions League final defeat, has already begun participating in squad planning for next season. His appointment concludes Athletic's search for a successor to Valverde, a process that saw the club opt for Terzic over a potential emotional return for club legend Andoni Iraola, who is also leaving his post at Bournemouth this summer.
The incoming coach faces the significant task of replacing a hugely popular and successful figure. Valverde's second spell in charge delivered Athletic's first Copa del Rey title in 40 years in 2024 and Champions League qualification the following season, though the current campaign has fallen short of expectations. Terzic will be charged with revitalizing the squad and returning the club to European contention.
Terzic's profile marks a departure from Athletic's recent managerial history, which has largely featured Basque coaches. He will become only the third foreign manager to take the helm at the club this century, following in the footsteps of Jupp Heynckes and Marcelo Bielsa, both of whom left lasting, positive legacies in Bilbao. The club's unique policy of only fielding players from the Basque region presents a distinct challenge, one that Terzic has reportedly begun to familiarize himself with during planning discussions.
His tenure at Dortmund, where he served as both a technical director and head coach, culminated in a DFB-Pokal victory in 2021 and that run to the 2024 Champions League final. That experience in managing a club with a strong identity and passionate fanbase is seen as valuable preparation for the pressures and expectations at Athletic Club. The move represents a fresh start for Terzic after a nearly two-year break from the dugout and a new chapter for Athletic as they seek to build a post-Valverde identity.
