Athletic Bilbao have confirmed Edin Terzić will succeed Ernesto Valverde as coach at the end of the season.

The move was widely expected with the Basque club having held talks with the German following Valverde’s announcement in March that he would be standing down.

An Athletic statement today read: “Edin Terzić has agreed to become head coach of Athletic Club’s men’s first team for the next two seasons, signing a contract until 30 June 2028.

“The 43-year-old was the Borussia Dortmund coach during two stints, winning the 2021 DFB-Pokal and narrowly missing out on the Bundesliga title in 2023. He also led BVB to the 2024 Champions League final.

“Before becoming the Bundesliga side’s head coach, Edin gained experience in the club’s academy and football operations department, while he has also worked as an assistant head coach at West Ham and at Besiktas.

“Terzić will be officially presented as our new head coach at the start of the new season. Currently, all focus is on the four crucial remaining matches.”

Valverde to leave Athletic a hero

Athletic won 4-2 at Alaves at the weekend thanks to two late goals from star winger Nico Williams to remain in with a chance of ending the season with qualification for the Conference League.

That was Valverde’s 500th game in charge of Athletic across three spells at San Mames.

He helped the club to two trophies: the 2015/16 Spanish Super Cup and the 2023/24 Copa del Rey.

Terzic will hope to replicate that success after gaining a reputation as the nearly man of German football due to Dortmund’s many near-misses during his time in charge at Signal Iduna Park.