Athletic Bilbao identify leading candidate for head coach role

Ernesto Valverde has decided to step down as head coach of Athletic Bilbao, and the club is now considering its options for a successor.

Details: According to Alex Crook, the leading candidate to take charge of the Basque side is Andoni Iraola. His contract with Bournemouth expires at the end of the current season, and it remains unclear whether he will sign a new deal.

Moreover, the opportunity to work at Athletic Bilbao—a club where Iraola made over 400 appearances—is highly appealing to the coach.

At present, Bournemouth sit 10th in the Premier League table with 41 points after 30 matches. On Friday, March 20, they are set to face Manchester United.

Reminder: Ernesto Valverde took charge of Athletic Bilbao in 2022. This marked his third spell at the club, having previously managed the Basque side from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2013 to 2017.