Athletic extend Ernesto Valverde deal

Athletic Club have confirmed that boss Ernesto Valverde has renewed his contract with the club until June 2016. Now in his second spell in charge of the side, he will remain tied to the San Mamés outfit for a further season.

The present campaign has been the second of his current period as Athletic coach, during which he has steered the team to a return to UEFA Champions League football and to this year’s Copa del Rey final. With one matchday remaining in the Liga BBVA, he has piloted the men from Bilbao to seventh place this term with 52 points, and 38 goals for and 41 against.

Valverde’s second stint at the Athletic helm follows an initial tenure lasting from 2003 to 2005, while he also learned his trade as a coach at the club, working with its youth teams and reserve side between 1997 and 2003.

The coach, nicknamed ‘El Txingurri’, declared that he is "happy" with this extension, which was delayed until now in order to ascertain whether "our objectives" were being met. "I’ve decided to accept the offer of a renewal because I feel I identify with the club and I’m very at ease with the people who work here," he commented.