The Athletic Club squad has embarked on their summer holidays, with a traditional group getaway marking the start of their break. Meanwhile, the club's hierarchy is finalizing the details for the grand unveiling of new head coach Edin Terzic, who has already begun shaping the team's future.
Players are enjoying a collective trip this week, a ritual that has become a staple of the Basque side's dressing room culture. They are not due back at Lezama until the first week of July, but a structured fitness plan will be dispatched beforehand to ensure they return in peak condition for pre-season. The brief pause allows for mental reset after a demanding LaLiga campaign, but the real work behind the scenes is only just beginning.
Terzic, the German tactician who previously led Borussia Dortmund to a DFB-Pokal triumph and a dramatic Bundesliga title challenge, is poised for his first public appearance as Athletic boss. The club has yet to announce the date of his introductory press conference, but all agreements are in place. Terzic’s recent visit to Bizkaia with his family suggests he has already scouted a place to live, underscoring his commitment to the role. The 43-year-old, married with two daughters, is no stranger to high-pressure environments, and he arrives at San Mamés with a reputation for intense, progressive football.
Even before the ink dried on his contract, Terzic was collaborating with the club’s sporting directorate to design pre-season and evaluate the squad. Several World Cup-bound players will be granted extended rest after the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, meaning the early training sessions will feature a mix of fringe players and youth prospects. This necessity could accelerate integration of academy talents, a hallmark of Athletic’s identity.
Transfer activity is already simmering. Reports indicate that Athletic has made contact with Rayo Vallecano midfielder Unai López, whose contract is set to expire this summer. The 28-year-old former Athletic academy graduate could represent a low-cost homecoming, adding depth and experience. López left the club in 2019 but has matured into a reliable LaLiga operator, and his technical profile fits Terzic’s possession-oriented philosophy.
Another name on the radar is Girona’s Iván Martín. Athletic attempted to sign the 25-year-old playmaker before the season, but the deal fell through. Now, with Girona suffering relegation to the second division, the landscape may have shifted. Martín’s creativity and versatility in midfield could address a clear need, though the financial terms remain a hurdle. The club’s president, Delfí Geli, may be forced to sell key assets, opening a window for negotiation.
The unresolved case of Yuri Berchiche adds further intrigue. The veteran left-back’s future is in limbo, with indications that both the player and the club have already reached an understanding about his next step. Whether that means a new contract or a departure is not yet official, but Terzic’s input will be crucial. Full-back is a position that demands energy and tactical discipline in Terzic’s system, so a definitive solution is expected soon.
These moves reflect Athletic’s perennial challenge: strengthening the squad while adhering to their unique Basque-only recruitment policy. Terzic’s appointment itself signaled a bold new direction—the first non-Basque coach in modern history—and now the transfer strategy must align with his ambitions. The pursuit of López fits the mold of reclaiming former talents, while Martín represents a younger, more unpredictable target.
Terzic’s ability to integrate such pieces will define his early tenure. Pre-season will be crucial, not just for fitness but for instilling his tactical principles. Without several international players, the coach will rely heavily on the leaders already at his disposal: experienced figures like Iñaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, and Dani Vivian must ensure a smooth transition. The German’s methods, often praised for their detail and intensity, will be tested in a league that punishes slow starters.
The coach’s backstory adds an extra layer of narrative. Terzic rose from Dortmund’s academy scout to interim head coach, famously winning the 2021 DFB-Pokal, before taking the permanent job and almost snatching the Bundesliga title from Bayern Munich in 2023. His emotional connection with players and fans makes him a potentially transformative figure at San Mamés, where passion and authenticity are currency. His family’s move to the region underlines personal investment, not just professional.
For Athletic, the next few weeks are about managing expectations. The squad will reassemble with fresh faces already being linked, but the club’s notoriously methodical approach means any deals will be plugged only after careful consideration. The supporters, still buzzing from the novelty of a foreign coach, will demand immediate progress. Balancing the old traditions with new ideas is Terzic’s tightrope act.
Ultimately, the success of this project hinges on how quickly the German can imprint his philosophy on a group that has long played a distinct style under previous managers like Marcelino and Ernesto Valverde. The transfer window will offer clues, but the long-term vision will only become clear on the pitch. With the players relaxing, Terzic is already hard at work—a metaphor for the changing times at Athletic.
Based on reporting from Marca.