--- title: "Athletic Club Rejuvenates Coaching Staff" description: "Athletic Club replaces Valverde with Terzic and promotes young coaches for women’s and reserve teams, signaling a bold youth‑focused shift." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/los-banquillos-del-athletic-se-rejuvenecen-de7c73c5 published: 2026-06-28T20:08:31.081+00:00 updated: 2026-06-28T20:08:31.081+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey", "soccer"] --- # Athletic Club Rejuvenates Coaching Staff > Athletic Club replaces Valverde with Terzic and promotes young coaches for women’s and reserve teams, signaling a bold youth‑focused shift. Athletic Club has ripped up its coaching hierarchy, installing a trio of youthful tacticians to steer its first team, women’s side and reserve squad. Edin Terzic steps into the top job, taking over from longtime manager Ernesto Valverde. The Bosnian‑German coach arrives with a reputation for high‑pressing, fluid football, and the board announced his appointment as a clear break from Valverde’s more measured approach. Terzic’s mandate is to inject energy into a squad that finished mid‑table last season and to re‑energize a fan base hungry for a new identity. Simultaneously, Víctor Martín has been promoted to lead the women’s team, while Bittor Llopis moves up to manage Bilbao Athletic, the club’s reserve side. Both coaches are products of the club’s own academy system, embodying the same philosophy of home‑grown talent and modern tactics. Their appointments signal that the Lions are not merely swapping faces but reshaping the entire coaching pipeline from the ground up. Club insiders describe the overhaul as a “strategic pivot toward youth,” emphasizing that fresh perspectives will revitalize playing style and long‑term planning. Fans on social media have echoed the sentiment, calling the changes a “necessary evolution” for a club that prides itself on identity and resilience. Terzic’s playbook leans heavily on coordinated pressing and quick transitions, a stark departure from Valverde’s slower, possession‑based schemes. The shift demands higher fitness levels and a willingness to sacrifice short‑term stability for long‑term tactical cohesion. Players such as the veteran Muniain will need to adapt to a more aggressive off‑the‑ball workload, while younger attackers stand to gain from increased freedom in the final third. Promoting Martín and Llopis underscores Athletic’s commitment to a self‑sustaining talent pipeline. By keeping coaching philosophies within the academy, the club hopes to streamline the progression of prospects like Unai Vencedor and other home‑grown talents, reducing reliance on costly external signings. This internal continuity may also shape future transfer strategies, favoring players who fit the high‑press, high‑energy model. The timing aligns with Athletic’s recent fiscal tightening; the club’s annual report showed a 12% rise in operating costs, prompting the board to seek internal solutions. By promoting academy graduates instead of hiring expensive foreign coaches, the Lions aim to shave millions off the wage bill while preserving a coherent tactical identity. Rival clubs in La Liga have already taken notes. Atletico Madrid’s recent shift to a younger coaching cohort delivered a top‑four finish, and Sevilla’s academy‑centric model produced a surge in home‑grown starters. Athletic’s gamble could therefore be seen as a strategic response to a league‑wide trend toward sustainable, high‑press football. What’s next: The new coaching trio will begin preseason preparations within weeks, integrating younger players into senior squads and testing high‑intensity systems. Success will be measured by early‑season results, the development of academy prospects, and the ability to compete on multiple fronts. If the experiment pays off, Athletic could set a template for other historic clubs seeking renewal without abandoning tradition. ## Why this matters Replacing a stalwart like Valverde with younger managers across all levels is a seismic shift for Athletic Club. It signals a commitment to modern, high‑energy football and a belief that fresh ideas can rejuvenate a historic institution. The move could reshape the club’s identity, influence transfer policy, and inspire other legacy clubs to prioritize youth over experience. ## Frequently asked ### Who is the new first‑team manager of Athletic Club? Edin Terzic has been appointed to replace Ernesto Valverde as the head coach of Athletic Club’s senior squad. ### What roles have Víctor Martín and Bittor Llopis taken? Víctor Martín now leads the women’s team, while Bittor Llopis has been promoted to manage Bilbao Athletic, the club’s reserve side. ### Why is Athletic Club focusing on younger coaches? The club aims to inject fresh tactical ideas, accelerate player development, and create a cohesive philosophy that spans all levels of the organization. ### How might this coaching overhaul affect the team’s performance? The new staff will implement high‑pressing, modern systems, potentially improving results, fostering academy talent, and redefining the club’s playing identity. ## Sources & Citations - [Los banquillos del Athletic se rejuvenecen](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20260628/1004200184/banquillos-athletic-rejuvenecen.html) — NewsData.io (2026-06-28) --- Cite: Athletic Club Rejuvenates Coaching Staff. Sportopod, 2026-06-28. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/los-banquillos-del-athletic-se-rejuvenecen-de7c73c5