A historic afternoon at San Mamés marked the end of an era for Athletic Club, as the legendary figure of Ernesto Valverde was given a heartfelt send-off before the team's final home fixture of the season against Celta Vigo. The 62-year-old, known affectionately as 'Txingurri,' stood at the center of an emotional pre-match ceremony that brought together half a century of footballers and coaches who had shared the journey with him across his three separate stints as manager of the Basque side. It was a moment that transcended a mere goodbye, encapsulating nearly two decades of deep connection with a club that prides itself on its unique identity.
Minutes before kick-off, the Cathedral—as San Mamés is reverently called—was filled with applause as around 50 former players and members of Valverde's technical staff formed a guard of honor. These were not just colleagues but men who had been molded by his leadership, from his first tenure between 2003 and 2005 to his most recent spell that began in 2022 and is now drawing to a close. The turnout underscored the profound respect Valverde commands; each handshake and embraced carried the weight of shared triumphs and the scars of hard-fought campaigns.
The centerpiece of the tribute was the presentation of a special trophy by club icon José Ángel Iribar. The statuette, crafted to immortalize one of Valverde's most recognizable mannerisms—his habit of crouching on the sidelines, deep in thought during matches—served as a permanent reminder of his idiosyncratic style and unflinching intensity. It was a gift that spoke directly to the memories of every fan who ever saw him pacing the technical area, obsessively analyzing every pass and press.
Valverde's legacy at Athletic is etched in numbers that will likely stand for generations. With 503 matches as head coach across three separate periods, he is the manager who has sat on the bench more times than any other in the 126-year history of the club. His final tally includes not just longevity but also tangible success: guiding the team to Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España titles during his second tenure from 2013 to 2017. Those triumphs, celebrated in Bilbao's streets, broke long silverware droughts and reaffirmed the club's ability to compete at the highest level while adhering to its strict Basque-only player policy.
Before he became the architect of those victories, Valverde was a prolific forward for Athletic. Across six seasons as a player, he made 188 appearances and scored 50 goals, demonstrating the same intelligence and work rate that would later define his coaching philosophy. This dual legacy as both player and boss places him in the rarest of categories—a true one-club man whose story is woven into every fiber of the institution. His departure marks the end of a continuity that few clubs ever experience.
Alongside Valverde, long-time assistant Jon Aspiazu will also be leaving this summer. The partnership has been a constant through all of Valverde's coaching chapters, and together they formed a calm, analytical duo that modernized Athletic's approach without ever betraying its roots. The club now faces the daunting task of replacing not just one but two pillars of its technical brain trust.
While the crowd's focus was on their departing coach, there was another farewell to honor. Iñigo Lekue, the 33-year-old full-back and one of the team's captains, confirmed earlier in the week that he would hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign. The deustoarra, who joined Athletic's first team eleven seasons ago, was not offered a contract renewal, and in keeping with his devotion to the club, he chose to retire as a one-club man rather than seek a future elsewhere. Before the match, Iribar and Valverde presented him with a framed shirt, prompting a standing ovation that echoed around the ground.
Lekue's departure, though less heralded than Valverde's, carries its own symbolic weight. In an era when player loyalty is often fragile, his decision to end his career solely in red and white stripes serves as a potent reminder of the values Athletic holds dear. He leaves having never worn another club's colors, joining an elite group of modern one-club men in an age of relentless transfer activity.
The emotional resonance of the day was not lost on the 50,000-plus supporters packed into San Mamés. Chants and banners expressed gratitude for a coach who gave them unforgettable nights and a player who embodied commitment. For many, it was the closing of a chapter that began with Valverde's first rescue mission in 2003, when he stabilized a floundering side, and now culminated with a dignified exit under the floodlights of a stadium he helped fill with dreams.
As for Valverde's next move, the coach has remained characteristically tight-lipped. No public statements have confirmed a new job, and it is widely expected that he will step back from professional football, at least for the near future. The door, however, is never fully closed for a man whose coaching acumen is respected across Europe, and speculation will naturally follow him wherever he goes.
For Athletic Club, the twin farewells signal a significant transition. The squad, already evolving under Valverde's guidance, must now adapt to new voices on the training ground. The challenge for the board is to find a custodian who can respect the club's unique philosophy while pushing it forward—a task made harder by the immense shadow cast by Txingurri. The emotional scenes at San Mamés were not just a goodbye; they were a reminder of how deeply a coach can embed himself in the soul of a club.
Based on reporting from Marca.
