Ernesto Valverde returns to the Athletic Club bench

The ‘txingurri’ ‘wins’ in the elections to Marcelo Bielsa

MADRID, 25 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde is the new coach of Athletic Club after the victory this Friday in the elections for the presidency of the Basque club by Jon Uriarte, a candidate who led the ‘txingurri’ as coach in case of victory.

The Viandar de la Vera coach will begin the 2022/23 season in his third spell on the rojiblanco bench, after managing the Bilbao team between 2003 and 2005 and between 2013 and 2017. Valverde is the coach with the most appearances in the history of Athletic Club (307).

The Extremaduran’s last experience was on the bench at FC Barcelona, ​​where he won two Leagues and was dismissed in January 2020 when he was leading in his third campaign. With Barça he also won a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup, but the eliminations in the Champions League against Rome and Liverpool weighed more heavily.


After two and a half years without training, Valverde returns and does so in San Mamés, led by Uriarte who became the new president of Athletic Club. Valverde’s trick was also managed by the candidacy of Ricardo Barkala, while Iñaki Arechabaleta went with Marcelo Bielsa as coach.

The Argentine led the Basques from 2011 to 2013, with an explosive season at stake and red-and-white self-esteem, with the Europa League and Copa del Rey finals. The fervor for the ‘Loco’ did not win over the ‘txingurri’ and Valverde is the one who finally takes over from Marcelino García Toral at the head of the ‘lions’.