Edin Terzic Gives First Public Remarks After Signing as Athletic Bilbao Head Coach
Edin Terzic addressed fans at Lezama after signing for Athletic Bilbao, previewing preseason, his language plan and a San Mamés presentation later in July.
Terzic’s First Public Appearance at Lezama
Edin Terzic made his debut public appearance for Athletic Bilbao on Thursday from the terrace of the club’s main building at Lezama. The coach — out of club management since leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2024 — delivered brief remarks to supporters and staff after signing a contract that runs through June 2028. He said he is eager to return to the pitch and start work in a new environment that he described as an honor to represent. Terzic’s short address mixed English with attempts at Spanish and Basque, signaling a readiness to connect with the club’s multilingual community.
The club released both the video and images of the exchange, giving fans a first look at the coach in Bilbao’s training complex. The tone was cordial and measured, designed to set expectations for a methodical integration rather than dramatic immediate change. Club officials and a small group of players and staff were present in the background, underscoring that his arrival is being staged as a steady handover. Those close to the process said Terzic has already begun internal consultations to map the early weeks of his tenure.
Language and Communication Strategy
Terzic made clear that English will be the primary language used in tactical meetings with the squad, while acknowledging he is studying Spanish and learning Basque expressions. He told supporters he wanted to be understood by his players and the wider club community, and that he values direct communication as a foundation for building cohesion. The coach’s multilingual approach reflects a practical balance: immediate clarity for a diverse dressing room and a long-term effort to embed himself culturally in Bilbao. Club sources indicated that translators and bilingual staff will support initial sessions while Terzic ramps up his Spanish and Basque.
The decision to rely on English for daily coaching conversations is increasingly common at elite clubs where squads are internationally diverse. Athletic’s board and technical team view that approach as compatible with the club’s identity so long as the coach demonstrates respect for local languages and traditions. Terzic’s visible attempts to use Basque at his first appearance were received positively by supporters and signaled an awareness of Athletic’s cultural particularities. The coach is reported to be compiling a list of key Basque phrases and Club-specific vocabulary to incorporate into future fan interactions.
Preseason Schedule and Official Presentation
Athletic Bilbao confirmed that Terzic’s formal presentation will take place in San Mamés during the second week of July, once preseason training is underway. The presentation is planned to coincide with the start of friendly fixtures, giving supporters an early opportunity to see the squad under his direction. Club sources said the timing was chosen to allow Terzic to complete initial meetings at Lezama and to oversee the first training sessions before speaking more extensively to the media. The precise date and format of the San Mamés event will be published by the club in the coming days.
Preseason activities are due to begin in a matter of weeks, with a training block scheduled at the club’s facilities and a series of warm-up matches to follow. Those fixtures will offer the coach a first chance to test tactical ideas and evaluate player fitness after the off-season. Terzic has emphasized the need for a structured buildup to the competitive campaign, prioritizing physical preparation and the integration of his coaching staff. Athletic’s sporting director is understood to be coordinating the calendar to ensure a smooth handover from the previous regime.
Early Meetings and Tactical Priorities
Since arriving, Terzic has held a series of internal meetings to outline his immediate priorities and to meet the club’s technical staff. Those conversations have focused on squad assessment, training methodology and the timeline for implementing his tactical principles. Club insiders describe the coach as methodical: he is drawing on his experience at Dortmund and other appointments to shape a plan that merges Athletic’s traditions with contemporary tactical trends. The initial emphasis will be on establishing defensive organization, transitional speed and set-piece structure, areas Terzic has highlighted in private briefings.
Staff appointments and support roles are also being evaluated, with the coach expected to retain some existing personnel while making targeted additions where necessary. Athletic’s policy of promoting from within the club structure and maintaining links to Lezama’s youth system will be a factor in any staffing decisions. Terzic has signaled a willingness to work with the academy and to accelerate the pathway for promising players who fit his profile. That blend of continuity and selective change is intended to respect the club’s identity while modernizing details in training and match preparation.
Residency and Integration in Bizkaia
Reports from the club indicate that Terzic has visited Bizkaia on several occasions since the agreement was reached, and that he has chosen a residence in the area. Those trips allowed him to familiarize himself with local logistics and to meet key club figures outside the formal setting of Lezama. Establishing a residence locally is seen by the club as an important step toward long-term integration, enabling the coach to participate in community events and to build rapport with fans. The proximity to San Mamés and the training ground will also help with day-to-day coordination.
Terzic’s presence in the region is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead as he settles his family and begins regular face-to-face work with players. Athletic officials expect him to attend club functions and to be visible at community engagements that underscore the club’s connection to the Basque Country. That local engagement is particularly significant at a club where supporter identity and regional ties are central elements of the institution. The coach’s early efforts to learn Basque phrases and to adopt local customs have been noted as positive gestures.
Expectations, Challenges and Early Benchmarks
Athletic Bilbao supporters and board members have set clear, measured expectations for Terzic’s first season: stability, progress in style of play, and competitive results in domestic competitions. The club’s unique recruitment model and cultural identity present both constraints and strengths that will shape the coach’s strategy. Terzic arrives with experience at a high level in Germany and with a reputation for tactical flexibility, but he will need to adapt those methods to Athletic’s squad composition and to the Basque footballing context. Early benchmarks will include preseason performances, the integration of youth prospects, and the team’s defensive consistency.
Supporters will judge the coach not only by results but also by his ability to restore a recognizable Athletic identity on the pitch while adding tactical clarity. The second-week-of-July presentation at San Mamés and the opening friendly fixtures will provide the first public measures of direction and tone. Club executives have emphasized patience but also ambition; they expect Terzic to lay out a coherent plan and to make incremental improvements that accumulate across the season. How quickly those changes deliver tangible progress will determine the tenor of support in the opening months.
Edin Terzic’s arrival completes a carefully staged handover intended to combine his international experience with Athletic Bilbao’s distinct ethos, and the coming weeks will reveal how that blend translates into training, tactics and matchday atmosphere.
