Ernesto Valverde, the head coach of Athletic Bilbao, announced that his journey with the "Basque Lions" will officially end with the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season, marking the end of his historic tenure on the benches of the "San Mamés" stadium.

Valverde's announcement came in a statement released by the club, in which he confirmed that this decision was not made on the spur of the moment, saying: "It is a decision I have thought about for a long time, and it was discussed and agreed upon with the club's management." The veteran coach explained that the early announcement aims to give the club enough space to organize its plans for the next season.

Despite confirming his departure, Valverde emphasized that his focus remains on the upcoming matches, adding: "We still have ten games ahead of us, and there is a lot we can win," clearly indicating his desire to improve the team's position in the Spanish league standings and bid farewell to the fans in the best possible way.

Valverde is considered a true "icon" in the history of the Basque club, as he is the coach who has led the most matches in Athletic Bilbao's history across different coaching periods. During these times, he succeeded in solidifying the team's competitive identity and bringing them back to winning platforms and continental participation.

As the final rounds of "La Liga" approach, Bilbao fans are preparing to bid farewell to "El Txingurri" in a grand scene at San Mamés Stadium, in recognition of the years he spent serving the club's colors. Meanwhile, early speculations suggest that Andoni Iraola, the current Bournemouth coach, might be the leading candidate to succeed him next season.