Could he be poised to succeed a club legend? Terzic has reportedly joined a new club

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Edin Terzic is set to become the new manager of Athletic Bilbao.

Basque newspapers Deia and El Correo, as well as transfer expert Matteo Moretto, all report that an agreement between Terzic and the Spanish top-flight club is imminent.

Athletic Bilbao has reportedly chosen the former Borussia Dortmund head coach to succeed Ernesto Valverde. The 62-year-old is a club legend, having previously played for the Basque side before moving into coaching. He later served as a youth coach and then as first-team manager across three spells totalling just under ten years to date. Valverde’s contract expires at the end of the season, after which he will depart the historic club.

Reports of advanced talks between Bilbao and Terzic surfaced as early as the end of March. Athletic were also linked with Andoni Iraola, who is leaving Premier League side AFC Bournemouth this summer after three successful years; he will be replaced by Marco Rose. Iraola, who made more than 500 competitive appearances for Bilbao between 2003 and 2015, would have ensured a seamless transition from Valverde given his deep knowledge of the club.

However, the 43-year-old is said to have several other options, including a strong chance to replace Liam Rosenior at Chelsea FC after his sudden departure. The Blues had also considered Terzic, but the German is now set for the Basque Country.

Edin Terzic

Bilbao would not be new territory for Edin Terzic, who has already worked abroad.

Out of respect for Valverde and to prevent unrest during the final weeks of the campaign, Athletic Bilbao are unlikely to announce Terzic’s appointment any time soon. The club are chasing a European spot, currently ninth with six matches left and just three points adrift of sixth place.

For Terzic, Bilbao would not be his first overseas posting. He began his coaching career in Borussia Dortmund’s youth setup, then served as Slaven Bilic’s assistant at Turkish top-flight club Besiktas between 2013 and 2015. The Croatian subsequently took him to West Ham United, where they spent just under two and a half years.

In 2018 he returned to Borussia Dortmund as assistant coach under Lucien Favre, took charge as head coach following Favre’s December 2020 departure, and then served as technical director before reclaiming the top job in 2022. A year later he nearly guided the club to the Bundesliga title and in 2024 took them to the Champions League final. Since departing Dortmund in the summer of 2024, Terzic has been out of work.

Athletic Bilbao's league positions over the past five years