Uriarte still hopes to convince Valverde to stay at Athletic | OneFootball

Athletic are mired in a damaging run that threatens next season’s European hopes, yet planning for the future is under way. According to as.com, Jon Uriarte still aims to persuade Ernesto Valverde to remain for at least a first year if he stays on as president after elections.

Valverde has shown signs of fatigue. His Bilbao spells have not stretched beyond four years, a threshold he reaches in June in this third stint, which would complete a decade in charge at San Mamés.

The ballot could also shape his decision. A challenge to Uriarte looks unlikely, but any rival would inherit a head coach already under contract, leaving limited room to manoeuvre.

Director of football Mikel González has said they speak with Valverde daily, trust is high and talks over his future are planned in the coming weeks. He noted these renewals are typically settled at season’s end and that Valverde is nearing 500 matches. The focus, he stressed, remains on salvaging the present campaign.

On the pitch, Athletic have lost 20 of 42 games, the worst return across Valverde’s 10 seasons at La Catedral, surpassing 19 defeats in 54 fixtures in 2004-05.

If change follows, options are already circulating. Andori Iraola, out of contract at Bournemouth on 30 June with his future undecided, fits the profile. Iñigo Pérez has also been mentioned, while Eder Sarabia’s candidacy has faded.

Source: as.com