Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde has urged his players and the club to maintain focus on the remaining four matches of the season, dismissing discussions about his successor Edin Terzic as premature. Speaking ahead of the crucial clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, Valverde emphasized that the competitive objectives of the current campaign must not be overshadowed by the announcement of Terzic's appointment for next season.
The Basque club officially revealed last week that Terzic, the former Borussia Dortmund manager, will take over from Valverde in the summer, signing a two-year deal. However, Valverde made it clear that he is not comfortable with the timing of the announcement, as it could distract from the team's push for European qualification. “It feels like if you talk about these things, you are throwing dirt on the season,” he said, as reported by Fútbol // marca.
Valverde, who announced in March that he would leave the club at the end of the season, fielded several questions about Terzic during his pre-match press conference. He acknowledged the need for the club to plan ahead but stressed that his players must concentrate solely on the task at hand. “The questions about the new coach are more appropriate for the last press conference. We are still fighting for important things,” he stated.
The 62-year-old coach admitted he has only limited knowledge of Terzic, having observed his Dortmund side's dramatic Bundesliga title collapse on the final day of the 2022-23 season and their run to the Champions League final. “I wish him luck, because his luck will be Athletic's luck,” Valverde said. “But the season is not over. We need to focus on what we have now.”
Athletic currently occupy a position that could see them qualify for either the Europa League or the Conference League, depending on results. Valverde expressed his desire to leave the club with a European berth. “I would love to leave the team in Europe. We have three games in a week against teams fighting for their own objectives, and then Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. It is not an easy calendar,” he noted.
The coach’s comments underline the delicate balance between honoring the current squad’s efforts and acknowledging the transition ahead. With four matches left, Valverde remains determined to finish the season strongly, ensuring a solid foundation for his successor. “We are playing for a lot. The extra European spot is a huge incentive,” he added, referencing the fifth Champions League place secured by the league’s coefficient performance.
As Athletic prepare for the final stretch, Valverde’s message is clear: the future can wait. The immediate priority is to secure a positive result against Real Madrid and maintain the momentum that earned a victory in their last outing at Mendizorroza. “The team is mentally focused on what we can achieve. We are concentrating on how to beat the rival,” he concluded.
Based on reporting from Fútbol // marca.