Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the current season. The experienced manager, who has coached 495 games in his three stints at the Basque club, made the announcement without specifying his next move. Valverde holds the record for most games in charge in Athletic Club's history.

Valverde's current contract expires at the end of June 2026. The former player first joined Athletic in 2003, returned in 2013, and has been back since 2022. During his tenure, he guided the club to the 2024 Copa del Rey title. Prior to his time at Athletic, Valverde also coached Barcelona to two consecutive La Liga championships.

The departure marks the end of another chapter in Valverde's managerial career, which has spanned multiple clubs across Spain. His decision comes after a period of reflection, as he stated in a video posted on the club's social media channels. Athletic now faces the challenge of finding a replacement who can maintain their competitive trajectory.