Valverde: “We've finished the season incredibly well”
Valverde: “We've finished the season incredibly well”
This is what the gaffer said after our final match of the 2024/25 campaign
Ernesto Valverde, proud of his players and the connection with the fans, celebrated the sense of unity between all parts of the club at the end of a historic year.
The Lions ended the season with a 0-3 loss to FC Barcelona at San Mames, but that meant little to the fans at San Mames as they gave captain Oscar de Marcos a magnificent send-off as he hangs up his boots.
"We've finished the season incredibly well," Valverde said. "When we're together, we're better and now it's time to celebrate."
After signing an extension to stay for at least another season, the Zurigorri head coach is looking forward to what's to come.
He said: “I feel good to be honest. I feel a great responsibility to Athletic, to the club and to the people who work with me. At the same time, I'm also driven to make the club even bigger."
On an emotional night, with De Marcos's farewell and the captain's armband being handed over to Iñaki Williams, Valverde predicts a great future.
"Iñaki is one of the captains, just like Iñigo Lekue, Yuri, Unai Simón and Yeray," Valverde added.
"They're ready to take over. They're players who are well thought of at our club, by our people. I'm sure Iñaki's going to follow in the footsteps of those who've come before him."