Edin Terzic appointed Athletic Club manager on deal through 2028
Edin Terzic named Athletic Club manager until 2028, replacing Ernesto Valverde on May 5, 2026. Terzic brings Dortmund pedigree and youth development emphasis.
Edin Terzic has been appointed manager of Athletic Club on a contract that runs until 2028, the Basque club confirmed on May 5, 2026. The 43 year old arrives from Borussia Dortmund and will take over the first team at San Mamés following the departure of Ernesto Valverde. The appointment marks a significant change of direction for Athletic and sets clear expectations about youth integration and European ambitions under Terzic.
Athletic confirm Terzic appointment until 2028
Athletic Club issued an official announcement confirming that Edin Terzic will lead the senior side on a two year deal that runs through the 2027 28 season. The club said Terzic will be formally presented after the conclusion of the current campaign, with four league fixtures remaining. The timing allows for a measured handover while the team completes its season objectives.
President Jon Uriarte and the board moved to secure Terzic after an internal process that had kept the replacement under discussion since Ernesto Valverde signalled his exit in March. Reports of interest in other candidates, including former players with strong San Mamés ties, were overtaken by the agreement with Terzic. The selection underlines the club’s intent to combine continuity with fresh ideas ahead of a busy summer window.
Valverde era ends after third stint and milestone appearance
Ernesto Valverde departs following his third spell in charge of Athletic, a tenure that concluded with his 500th game for the club over the weekend. Under Valverde the team returned to the Champions League and secured a historic Copa del Rey victory that the club described as the first in over four decades. Those achievements set a high bar that Terzic will be expected to match or surpass while bringing new energy to the playing group.
Valverde’s exit had been signalled internally for several weeks and created a competitive market for the job because of Athletic’s unique identity and recent successes. The new manager steps into a dressing room accustomed to a specific style and strong connection to the academy pathway. Managing that balance between respect for the club’s traditions and the introduction of new methods will be a central test for the incoming coach.
Terzic’s Dortmund record and European experience
Edin Terzic arrives with a recent track record in Germany that includes winning the German Pokal in 2021 and guiding Borussia Dortmund to deep domestic and continental runs. His sides narrowly missed the Bundesliga title in 2023 and progressed to the Champions League final in 2024. That blend of cup success and consistent league performance forms the backbone of the credentials that Athletic’s hierarchy valued.
Terzic’s CV also includes spells as an assistant coach abroad, giving him experience of different club cultures and competitive environments. Those roles, combined with his time leading a major European club, offer Athletic a manager who understands both the pressures of elite competition and the day to day demands of developing a squad. His appointment signals a desire to marry continental tactical rigor with Athletic’s local recruitment model.
Historic appointment as first foreign Athletic manager since 2018
By bringing in Edin Terzic Athletic makes its first appointment of a foreign manager since 2018. That fact carries symbolic weight at a club with a famously distinct Basque policy on player recruitment and a deep attachment to local identity. Previous foreign appointments at San Mamés have produced mixed results and the board will be mindful of the need for cultural fit as much as coaching acumen.
The decision represents a deliberate widening of the club’s managerial search beyond the immediate Basque coaching pool while still demanding alignment with Athletic’s longstanding principles. Terzic’s willingness to commit to youth development and to respect local structures was reported as a decisive factor in his selection. That alignment will be scrutinised by fans and pundits as the new regime begins.
Youth integration and tactical expectations at San Mamés
Athletic’s academy and development structure are central to the club’s long term plan and Terzic was reportedly recruited in part for his track record with young players. The club expects greater continuity between the academy and the first team and sees the new coach as someone who can accelerate the pathway from Lezama to San Mamés. Developing homegrown talent will be a priority alongside the tactical framework Terzic implements.
Tactically the coach is likely to introduce fresh ideas influenced by his Bundesliga experience while adapting them to the physical and spirited nature of La Liga fixtures. Observers anticipate a focus on organized pressing transitions and compact defensive structures that can be married to Athletic’s traditional intensity. How quickly the squad adapts to any changes in training methods or matchday patterns will shape early assessments of the appointment.
Immediate challenges and the road to next season
Terzic takes charge at a pivotal moment with the current season still unfolding and European preparations on the horizon. His immediate tasks will include overseeing the final matches, establishing a coaching staff, and setting priorities for the summer transfer window. With Athletic aiming to build on recent continental qualification, the summer programme will be closely watched by supporters and rivals alike.
The new manager must also manage expectations at home where patience and high standards coexist, and he will face scrutiny over squad rotation, tactical shifts, and the integration of academy graduates. Planning for the 2026 27 campaign will require balancing continuity with targeted reinforcements to sustain Athletic’s presence in Europe. The club’s board will be judged on how effectively it supports that transition.
Athletic Club’s appointment of Edin Terzic marks a notable moment in the club’s contemporary history and opens a new chapter at San Mamés. The coming weeks will focus on the handover from Valverde, the presentation of the new coach, and the concrete steps taken to build towards next season. Fans and analysts will be watching to see whether Terzic can combine his continental experience with Athletic’s local identity to deliver sustained success.
