Athletic Bilbao preseason: Terzic and Geppert begin work ahead of July 6 medicals
Edin Terzic and assistant Sebastian Geppert have begun preparing at Lezama as Athletic Bilbao preseason medicals are set for July 6, with the first on-field session scheduled for July 8.
The Athletic Bilbao preseason has taken an early step forward as head coach Edin Terzic and his trusted assistant Sebastian Geppert — known to staff and players as “Geppi” — have already been present at the club’s Lezama training complex. Their arrival precedes the formal start of preparations, with the squad due for medical examinations on July 6 and the first collective training session slated for July 8. The early engagement is aimed at giving the coaching staff direct contact with players and employees ahead of the intensive pre-season program.
Terzic and Geppert on site at Lezama
Terzic and Geppert have spent multiple days at Lezama conducting meetings and observing the facilities to assess the immediate needs of the group. Their presence reflects a hands-on approach during the transition period and signals an intent to set clear expectations before formal training begins. Club staff describe the interactions as practical and focused, aimed at smoothing the logistical and sporting steps required for a compact preseason.
The assistant coach’s informal nickname, Geppi, has become familiar around the base as he and Terzic move through individual conversations with support staff and technical personnel. Those exchanges have covered everything from medical protocols and fitness programmes to training ground allocations for the coming weeks. The early coordination is intended to make the July 6 medicals and the July 8 on-pitch work run without friction.
Face-to-face briefings with players ahead of start
Players currently using Lezama to maintain fitness have had opportunities to meet the coaching staff in person, and those encounters have allowed Terzic to outline his vision for the season. Several squad members who remain locally have already discussed their individual plans and immediate objectives with the new staff. These meetings have been short but substantive, aiming to align player routines with the club’s preseason schedule.
Other players who are not at Lezama have been contacted by phone to ensure everyone understands the timetable and their responsibilities before arriving for medicals. The mix of in-person and remote conversations reflects the practicalities of an off-season that overlaps with international duties and personal conditioning programs. Terzic’s staff have emphasized clarity, making certain that every player arrives prepared and informed.
Medicals on July 6 and first training on July 8
The club’s medical checks are scheduled to open the preseason on July 6, with the on-field group sessions to begin two days later on July 8. The first two days being taken by medicals means the opening training session will be the first moment the entire assembled squad acts together under Terzic’s guidance. That sequencing allows the medical and performance teams to clear the squad and provide the coaches with a fitness baseline before tactical and physical work intensifies.
Club sources note that no player will begin the July 8 session without a clear understanding of the broad contours of the preseason plan, even if some still have outstanding questions about their long-term status. The coaching staff are using the intervening days to set expectations about workload, recovery, and the priorities that will shape early sessions. This preparatory window is also being used to finalise schedules for individual testing and conditioning work.
International players remain in the loop; Laporte comments
Terzic has kept lines of communication open with international players, calling several squad members during the lead-up to the preseason. Aymeric Laporte, one of the club’s senior figures, told El Correo that he has been in regular contact with Terzic and appreciates the coach’s enthusiasm. Laporte said they speak frequently and that Terzic’s ambition and energy have been evident in their conversations.
That level of contact is intended to ensure international absences do not derail the squad’s collective objectives when those players return. The coaching staff have used phone calls to convey tactical priorities and to maintain continuity in messaging for players involved with national teams. Those remote briefings aim to reduce the tactical catch-up required when internationals rejoin the group at Lezama.
Clarity on squad roles, loans and potential exits
Players arriving for the medicals have been briefed on where they stand within Terzic’s plans, including whether they are likely to remain in the first-team group, be considered for loan moves, or be available for transfer. The club has emphasized transparency in these discussions so that individuals can make informed decisions about their immediate futures. That clarity is designed to limit uncertainty and help the coaching staff build a coherent preparation group.
Several squad members reportedly understand that their minutes and roles will be evaluated early in preseason, with the possibility of temporary moves should playing time be limited. Athletic’s approach appears to be to communicate early to protect both the player’s development and the squad’s cohesion. Sources indicate that the club will remain pragmatic about sales or loans if they serve the squad’s competitive or financial objectives.
Coaching programme and early tactical priorities
Terzic’s initial focus will balance physical conditioning with a clear tactical framework he expects the team to adopt ahead of the season. Early sessions are planned to be intensive but progressive, offering a mix of individualized conditioning, small-sided technical work, and foundational tactical drills. The coaching team wants to build sharpness without overloading players who have varying levels of fitness after the off-season.
Geppi’s role in the setup will be to oversee many of the day-to-day implementation details and to act as a direct conduit between players and the head coach. That includes coordination with medical staff on workload management and with performance analysts on early evaluation. The emphasis on structured, measured preparation reflects the staff’s aim to have the squad ready physically and tactically by the time competitive fixtures begin.
Athletic’s preseason timeline will also include friendly matches and staged escalations in training intensity to test tactical concepts in match conditions. Those fixtures are expected to be scheduled after the opening weeks of training once the staff have assessed fitness levels and tactical progress. The club sees the early weeks as critical for embedding patterns of play that will be refined through the summer.
The coaching staff will use objective data from tests conducted at the medicals to tailor individual plans where necessary, and to identify players who may need additional conditioning before taking on full training loads. These data-driven adjustments aim to reduce injury risk and optimise performance as the group moves into more demanding phases. Terzic’s approach combines modern analysis with practical work on the grass, ensuring the programme is both measurable and adaptable.
Athletic’s front office and sporting directors will monitor progress closely, with the preseason window used to answer outstanding questions about squad depth and readiness. Decisions on reinforcements, departures, and loan agreements are likely to be influenced by observations made during the first two weeks of collective work. The club’s objective is to conclude the summer with a well-defined squad capable of meeting competitive targets.
The coming days at Lezama will be watched closely by supporters and analysts as Terzic and Geppert set the tone for the campaign. Their early involvement aims to provide structure and certainty during a period that can otherwise be unsettled by transfers and international absences. As medicals and on-pitch sessions follow, the focus will shift from planning to execution in Athletic Bilbao’s preseason.
