In an exclusive interview with Marca, Yeray Alvarez has finally broken his silence on the “path of thorns” he endured during a 10-month UEFA suspension for unintentional doping, while also delivering a seismic revelation for Athletic Club’s future: Edin Terzic will be the team’s new head coach next season.
The 31-year-old central defender, a cancer survivor whose career has been punctuated by extraordinary comebacks, faced the most challenging chapter yet when a routine hair-loss treatment containing a banned substance triggered a positive test. The sanction, imposed by European football’s governing body, kept him away from competitive action from the summer of 2025 until the spring of 2026, forcing him to train in isolation and watch his team from a private seat at San Mamés rather than the dressing room.
“I prepared my defence so that UEFA would believe me,” Yeray explained. “The whole story was very clear, and there wasn’t much doubt it would turn out that way. But you always have that little thing about the length of the sanction. Personally, I was satisfied. I accepted it and moved on.” He stressed that during the investigation he could not even discuss the matter with his family or closest friends, a silence that weighed heaviest during the emotional farewell of club legend Óscar de Marcos.
The ban meant Yeray missed crucial moments of Athletic’s campaign: the Copa del Rey semi-final, as well as Champions League clashes against Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. “It wasn’t just those games that squeezed my heart,” he admitted. “Seeing the team in Europe after so long was tough.” His return to the pitch in the final weeks of the LaLiga season brought relief but also fatigue, a natural consequence of so long without match rhythm.
Yet amid the darkness, personal joy arrived. Yeray revealed he and his partner are expecting their first child, news that broke in September and gave him a “massive lift” during the toughest months. “We’d been wanting it. A piece of news like that was incredibly positive, and now we’re just eager for the baby to be born.” The announcement adds a layer of humanity to a player whose resilience has defined his decade in the Athletic first team.
The interview also offered a candid look at the psychological toll of anti-doping sanctions. “The measures of the punishment distance you from the group — that’s part of the design,” Yeray said. “That was the hardest part, because you stop feeling like a footballer.” He credited the support of fitness professionals from Emen4Sport and physical coach Edu Estíbariz for keeping his body and mind prepared, but the isolation remained a struggle. He admitted to asking for forgiveness from supporters and promised to do so “as many times as necessary” for the situation he unintentionally caused.
Turning to his teammates, the centre-back extended heartfelt advice to young defender Egiluz, who has suffered another anterior cruciate ligament rupture. “Football has blows that will knock you down, but you have to keep going. He’s a tough guy and he’ll recover. I spent a lot of time with him during these months, and his character will help him a lot. He has veterans like Galarreta who’ve been through the same thing — the advice around here is good, and he’ll come back stronger.”
But it was Yeray’s confirmation of a coaching change that will dominate headlines. According to the player’s own words, Edin Terzic — the German tactician known for guiding Borussia Dortmund to the 2023–24 Champions League final — will take the reins at Athletic next season. The appointment signals a bold new direction for a club deeply rooted in its Basque identity, and Terzic’s progressive, high-intensity style could mesh well with the squad’s recent European ambitions.
With two years remaining on his newly extended contract, Yeray appears revitalised and focused on enjoying every moment. “I always try to enjoy it. My track record has been interrupted by illnesses and injuries — the full quota, as I say. But every time something has stopped me, I’ve tried to turn it around. I can’t complain, because despite all the setbacks I’ve come back to play under every coach.” Now, the prospect of doing so under Terzic adds another layer of motivation.
For Athletic, the combination of Yeray’s experience and an ambitious new manager could be the catalyst for sustained success. The club’s faithful, who stood by the defender throughout his ordeal, will hope that the stability personified by Yeray helps usher in a new era marked by silverware and deep European runs. His story — from cancer survivor to doping ban survivor to advocate for mental strength — remains one of LaLiga’s most compelling narratives.
Based on reporting from Marca.