Edin Terzic is assembling his coaching team at Athletic Club, and the new manager is leaning on familiar faces from his successful tenure at Borussia Dortmund. The 43-year-old German will be supported by assistant coach Sebastian Geppert and head of physical preparation Florian Wangler, both of whom worked closely with him at the Westfalenstadion.
Sebastian Geppert, 42, served as Terzic's assistant during both of his seasons in charge of Dortmund. Their partnership was notably fruitful, culminating in a run to the UEFA Champions League final. Geppert left the Dortmund structure at the same time as Terzic and has not been linked with another coaching role since. He has used this period to further his own professional development and to conduct a detailed analysis of Athletic Club, a project that began as soon as Terzic agreed terms with the Basque club's president, Jon Uriarte.
The close professional bond between Terzic and Geppert is a cornerstone of the new setup. After their time at Dortmund concluded, they made a conscious decision to remain united in their professional endeavors. During this interim period, they have been meticulously planning the characteristics of their future coaching staff, a blueprint that has now come to fruition in Bilbao.
Joining them is Florian Wangler, a 46-year-old physical trainer from Hamburg. Wangler also has a history with Terzic, having worked within the Dortmund structure and specifically with the first team. He will take charge of the physical conditioning side of operations at Athletic. His department will include specialists who are already employed at the club's Lezama training complex, ensuring a blend of new methodology and existing knowledge.
The incoming staff has already hit the ground running. They have been present in Bilbao with pre-work already advanced for the design of the team's pre-season program. Furthermore, Terzic and Geppert have been proactive in their preparation, visiting various clubs to deepen their understanding of different methodologies and systems. One such visit included a meeting with Hansi Flick at FC Barcelona.
The group will officially present themselves in Bilbao, ready to implement their vision for Athletic Club. Their arrival marks a significant step in the club's new project, bringing a cohesive unit with proven experience at the highest level of European football. Based on reporting from Fútbol // marca.