Valverde honoured at San Mamés by generations of Athletic alumni | OneFootball

San Mamés rose to salute Valverde as Athletic marked his farewell from a third spell with a tribute steeped in memory.

According to El Correo, the club invited dozens of former players and backroom staff who worked with him in 2003-2005, 2013-2017 and 2022-2026.

The scene was striking when the coach emerged from the tunnel to a guard of honour and sustained applause. On one side stood 32 former footballers and collaborators led by the iconic José Ángel Iribar, on the other the current squad and staff.

Among those present were Susaeta, Tiko, Óscar de Marcos, Raúl García, Aranzubia, César Caneda, Beñat, Toquero, Ibai Gómez, Casas, Gurpegui, Iraizoz, Igor Angulo, San José, Endika Bordas, Azkorra, Murillo, Joseba Etxeberria, Bustinza, Eraso, Imanol Etxeberria, Lafuente, Javi González, Ekiza, Iturraspe, Urzaiz, Ander Iru, Viguera and Felipe Guréndez.

The most symbolic moment came when Iribar presented Valverde with a statue capturing his familiar touchline crouch, an image etched into the club’s imagination. The stadium responded with a thunderous ovation.

Source: El Correo