Ernesto Valverde is to coach La Liga side Athletic Bilbao for the third time after being appointed to the post on Thursday.
The 58-year-old’s return is no surprise as newly-elected club president Jon Uriarte had said he was his preferred choice.
Valverde has been without a club since he was sacked as Barcelona coach in January 2020, having led them to two league titles and a Copa del Rey trophy.
Valverde coached Bilbao from 2003-06 and then from 2013-17 — having played for them from 1990-96. He guided them to their first trophy in over 30 years with a 5-1 aggregate win over Barcelona in the 2015 Spanish Super Cup.
The club finished eighth in La Liga last season, failing to qualify for European competitions.
AFP
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: theeditor[at]punchng.com
