Terzić: “We want to protect this unique club's passion and identity"

New Athletic Club head coach Edin Terzić reiterated that he will do everything in his power to "protect the passion and identity" that makes Athletic so special.

On Tuesday afternoon, Edin, the 52nd coach in Athletic history, made his first apperance in front of the local media at San Mames' press room, starting of the event by holding aloft a red-and-white jersey with his name and the number 52 on the back.

Following welcoming remarks from club president Jon Uriarte and the director of football Mikel González, the German manager addressed the Athletic family and chose to deliver his first public remarks in Basque: “Eskerrik asko. Oso pozik nago hemen egoteagatik. Aupa Athletic!” (“Thank you very much. I’m really pleased to be here. Come on, Athletic!”).

He then conveyed a very simple message of thanks in English, saying: “It’s been incredible to be welcomed in such a friendly, polite and open manner. We’d heard many good things about the club and the city, but we have to admit that, since we arrived, it’s been even better than that. Thank you very much for welcoming us like this. We’re very happy to be here."

Terzić is well aware of the place he has come to in order to resume his managerial career and admitted choosing to come to Athletic was a very straightforward decision.

He said: “When I learnt about this club, its identity, its history, its talent… I started to weigh things up and it became clear to me that I wanted to be here."

Regarding the style of play he wants his team to adopt, Terzic drew a distinction between the attack, in which he wants to focus on bringing out the players’ talent, and the defence, which should reflection team’s mentality.

He added. “I love working with young footballers, looking first and foremost at the first-team squad, the training ground, and then at Lezama."

When asked about the decision to add Óscar de Marcos to his coaching staff, Edin explained that he "couldn’t get through three sentences without that name coming up" as he started talking to different people at Athletic and learning more about the club.

"So when I realised how important Óscar was to this club, I told Mikel [González]: ‘I need to work with him’." 

Speaking about how he has prepared to take on the challenge of managing Athletic, Terzić revealed that he met with many people he believed could help him improve, including FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and former Athletic manager Jupp Heynckes, who led the club during two spells between 1992–94 and 2001–03.

According to Edin, Heynckes told the new coach that Athletic "is the only club where a handshake is more important than a signature", whilst also assuring him that he "would make many friends".

Asked to send a message to the Athletic fans, Edin said it was not his place to ask anything of them other than to stay positive. “I can’t guarantee anything, except that we’ll do our very best to make them happy,” he said, before emphasising that the fans “are one of the main reasons I’m here. I want to feel San Mamés, I want to feel these fans”.
 

Jon Uriarte to Edin Terzić: “You’ve seen that Athletic is a very special club”

At the start of the press conference, and before welcoming Terzić, the president of Athletic Club paid tribute to the recently departed Carmelo Cedrún, one of the great goalkeepers in the club’s extraordinary lineage of shotstoppers and a member of the legendary ‘Once Aldeanos’ (Eleven Villagers) side of the 1950s.

Uriarte said: “He was legendary goalkeeper who played a leading role in Athletic’s golden era in the 1950s and whom we will always remember with affection and gratitude.”

Following the tribute to Carmelo, the president addressed the new manager, saying: “We are in no doubt that, if you have chosen us to return to the dugout, it is because you have seen a very special club in Athletic.

"For our part, we recognise your great potential and your ability to inspire others. And, above all, your enthusiasm from day one for a challenge as unique and motivating as that presented by Athletic.”

Jon concluded his speech with a few words of welcome in German: “Herzlich Willkommen in deinem neuen Zuhause!” (Welcome to your new home!)

Mikel González: “The fans are going to identiy with him"

The director general of football Mikel González thanked Edin Terzić for choosing Athletic “over big clubs competing in the top leagues”.

Mikel said they were on the same wavelength from the outset, highlighting that Terzić’s approach to football fits perfectly with Athletic and that “people are going to identify with him”.

Mikel also thanked Edin for the way he has settled into the club, spreading his energy, enthusiasm and excitement to everyone.