Athletic Club Hit With Ernesto Valverde's Extension Conundrum

Written by Oluwadamilola Olaleye

With his current deal set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Athletic Club are already preparing themselves and as such are in search for a new manager if they fail to reach extension agreement with highly rated tactician Ernesto Valverde.

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Since his appointment back in 2022, Ernesto Valverde who returned for his third spell has overseen a lot of transformation with the Basque club. He has led them to a Copa del Rey triumph and they are currently classified in the Champions League places, six points adrift La Liga league leaders, Real Madrid.

President Jon Uriarte who also have a year and half left of his tenure has revealed his desire for the tactician to continue at the club but admits that he wont stand in his way if he decides to leave in the summer having achieved incredible feats with the club in his three years stay.

Athletic Bilbao are experiencing a period of positive momentum, but they may soon face the challenge of finding a new manager. Ernesto Valverde’s contract expires at the end of the current season, and club president Jon Uriarte has indicated, according to Marca, that the club is beginning to prepare for the possibility of his departure.

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“Ernesto likes to talk about these topics when the season is late. Things depend on two parts, not just one. If for whatever reason we were unlucky and he did not continue with us, we would have to apply what a former boss of mine said: ‘cemeteries are full of essential people’. Mikel (director of football) and his team are working to try to make sure that in case that happens there is Plan B, Plan C and so on.

“It would be a dream for Valverde to be with us until the end. The statistics speak for themselves. He is an impressive coach and has had achievements in the three spells he has had with us. We have won the Copa del Rey and we are currently classified in the Champions League places. It is the work of many, but his role is fundamental. He is the best coach of Athletic in this century. I have a year and a half left in my mandate and it would be a dream for Valverde to be with us until the end.”

Valverde won’t be short of offers if he decides not to extend his deal, he has multiple suitors in the EPL and also a mega deal if he decides to move to Saudi Arabia.

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