Patxi Salinas appointed Bilbao Athletic head coach

Patxi Salinas, current head coach of CD Basconia, will take over Bilbao Athletic for the rest of the season. Patxi replaces outgoing Imanol de la Sota with the goal of getting the team back on track in the Primera RFEF.

Joseba Nuñez moves up with Patxi as his assistant, while goalkeeping coach Dani Aranzubia and fitness coach Eduardo Estibariz maintain their places. Salinas will oversee his first training session this Wednesday.

A two-time LaLiga champion with Athletic, Salinas coached extensively in the old Segunda B, having been in charge at CD Ourense, Sant Andreu, Rápido de Bouzad, Burgos CF and CD Badajoz.

He was into this third season at CD Basconia, Athletic’s C team. In his first campaign, he led the side to the play-offs. In the second -disrupted by COVID- the side finished in mid-table and in the current season Basconia are in the promotion spots.

The move means Carlos Gurpegui takes over at Basconia with Iñigo Lizarralde as his right-hand man. Iban Urkiza keeps his position as fitness coach and Armando Ribeiro continues as goalkeeping coach.