Valverde honoured at San Mamés on his 501st Athletic match | OneFootball

Valverde was honoured at San Mamés on his 501st match as Athletic coach, a warm and understated tribute during his penultimate outing. His farewell will come against Celta.

According to as.com, the stands unfurled a banner reading "Gure bihotzetan betirako" and "Eskerrik asko Txingurri". The coach has spent 10 years across three spells in the Athletic dugout.

Valverde walked out with a girl, then posed for a team photo amid chants from the singing section. Applause rang out from the crowd and from Valencia’s players. He is discreet by nature but looked emotional.

Earlier, Athletic had announced Galarreta’s absence for paternity reasons. Rego started in his place in the red and white XI. Lekue, initially ruled out, made the squad.

Sannadi still missed out. Prados and Egiluz were the other Athletic players watching from the stands.

Source: as.com