Ernesto Valverde will coach La Liga side Athletic Club for a 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.Friday, 03.30: (2.09) Fortaleza CE (3.20) Estudiantes (4.00)He coached Bilbao from 2003/06 and then from 2013 to 2017 — having also played for them from 1990 to 1996. 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. Athletic finished eighth in La Liga last season.Ernesto Valverde: “It is not usual to present the same person three times, it is an honor for me. I know I have a difficult challenge, because I added pressure because of what has been done before, but I accept it with enthusiasm. I am excited to coach the team.” pic.twitter.com/IgRc2W4pJx— The Football Index 🎙 ⚽ (@TheFootballInd) June 30, 2022 Valverde oversaw 306 Bilbao games over the past two spells, more than anyone in the club’s history. He delivered European qualification in each of his last four seasons, including a spot in the Champions League for the 2014-15 season.On his return to the Basque Country, Valverde used an analogy from cinematography in a joking way.”The second parts are never any good… well, except The Godfather Part II. And the third part? I didn’t like the third Godfather film as much, but you have to say the director has some balls filming it.”Curiously, he is the only Athletic Club coach who has been in charge of our team at both the old San Mames and the new one. In fact, he was in the dugout for the first league match at the new ground, against Celta in 2013/14.
