Madrid, August 15: Athletic Bilbao’s newly appointed coach, Edin Terzić, is confident that his team will challenge for European qualification in the upcoming La Liga season. The former Borussia Dortmund coach took over the Basque club this summer after Ernesto Valverde stepped down following his fourth season in a third term.
The Athletic Club struggled to perform consistently in the 2025-26 season, finishing 12th in La Liga. However, Terzić is optimistic following a pre-season campaign where the team suffered only one defeat.
“The team is ready to play in Europe based on quality,” Terzić stated a week before their league campaign kicks off at home against Sevilla. He added, “If we deserve it, it will be because we work harder and better, and that will prepare us. Europe is one of our goals.”
Terzić also expressed his admiration for the connection between Athletic and its supporters since his arrival. “I see the connection people have with the club, and you feel proud. It doesn’t matter what your age is, whether you’re a man, woman, boy, or girl. Everyone feels a connection to the club, and that’s why I am very proud to coach this team.”
The 43-year-old coach downplayed the pressure associated with his new role, stating that his own expectations far exceed those of the supporters. “Everyone talks about pressure in football, but there is pressure in everything in life. I don’t feel external pressure; it’s internal. No one can put as much pressure on me as I do on myself.”
Earlier, Athletic Club announced that central defender Yeray Álvarez has signed a new contract until June 2028, ending uncertainty regarding the 31-year-old’s future. He has spent his entire career at the club, playing 259 matches for the first team.
His numbers could have been higher had he not taken two breaks for cancer treatment. This season, Yeray was sidelined until April after being suspended for ten months by UEFA for testing positive for a banned substance found in medication he was taking to prevent hair loss following treatment.
Club sporting director Mikel González stated, “Yeray has always been a reliable player. He is a center-back who wins one-on-one duels, has great focus, and possesses a winning mentality. He has shown tremendous strength in facing challenges throughout his career.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.