Ernesto Valverde

Ernesto Valverde is a Spanish football coach and former professional striker. He was born on 9 February 1964 in Viandar de la Vera, Spain.

Ernesto started out his professional career with the Segunda División clubs Alavés and Sestao. His career really took off when Valverde joined the top-flight side Español making his La Liga debut in a 1-1 draw against Atlético de Madrid in August 1986. He was an instrumental part of the team who became the UEFA Cup runners-up in the 1987/88 season, losing on penalties to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the final match. The next two seasons Valverde spent in Barcelona’s colours. He marked his debut season at Barca with the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup win and went on with the Spanish Cup victory in the 1989/90 campaign. Since 1990 till 1996, a skillful striker shone for Athletic Bilbao amassing 44 goals in 170 matches during a six-year stint. In his final 1996/97 playing season Valverde featured for Mallorca.

Ernesto Valverde began his managerial career with Athletic Bilbao in 2001. In 2006, he took charge over Espanyol and repeated his feat when a player leading the team to the UEFA Cup second-place finish in the 2006/07 season. In 2008, the Spanish coach moved to the Greek side Olympiacos. He made a great impact as a manager leading the club to three Greek Superleague wins and two Greek Cup trophies.

On 3 December 2012, Ernesto Valverde took over the coaching reins at the Spanish giants Valencia after Mauricio Pellegrino’s dismissal. However, he was sacked at the end of the season for not managing to secure a Champions League spot.

Since the summer 2013 Valverde has guided Athletic Bilbao.