Athletic Club has confirmed an unexpected move on the bench. Edin Terzic, 43, will take the reins of the team following the departure of Ernesto Valverde. The German arrives with a contract until 2028, backed by his recent Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund and a German Cup in 2021. The question now is how his style will fit into the Lezama philosophy. ⚽
Tactical analysis: high press and German-style transitions 🔥
Terzic is not a possession-heavy coach. His Dortmund stood out for a suffocating high press and very fast vertical transitions. At San Mamés, that playbook could fit with the intensity of players like Nico Williams or Sancet, but it demands extreme physical condition and a very organized defense. The challenge will be adapting his 4-2-3-1 to a squad accustomed to a different pace and a youth academy that prioritizes ball control. The margin for error is minimal.
Terzic, or how to change psychologists every two years 😅
Who would have told Terzic that he would go from watching Jude Bellingham run like a madman to having to manage Iñaki Williams' ego with the gabarra in the background. He arrives with the reputation of having come close to the Big-Eared trophy, but in Bilbao a tougher test awaits him: explaining why the Athletic anthem plays before each match and not after. Hopefully, he brings a translator for the shareholders' meetings.