Ernesto Valverde (AP Image)
Valverde, 58, has not taken coaching since being fired from Barcelona in January 2020.
Ernesto Valverde has officially returned as coach of Athletic Bilbao.
The Spanish club made the announcement on Thursday, five days after new president John Uriarte was elected and pledged to bring back Valverde for his third term as coach.
Another candidate for Bilbao’s presidency, Iaki Arechabaleta, promised to bring back Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa for a second term at the club, which only fields players from the northern Basque Country region that borders France.
Valverde, 58, has not taken coaching since being fired from Barcelona in January 2020. Barcelona let him go despite consecutive Spanish league wins and the Copa del Rey, and his team still leads the league.
A former player, Valverde coached Athletic in a club record 306 games in 2003–05 and 2013–17. He has also coached Valencia, Olympiacos, Villarreal and Espanyol.
Athletic finished eighth outside the European qualification places in the Spanish league last season.
read all breaking news , today’s fresh news watch top videos And live TV Here.