Athletic Club appoints Bittor Llopis as new Bilbao Athletic reserve team coach
On June 24, 2026, Athletic Club hired 38-year-old Bittor Llopis as head coach of their reserve team, Bilbao Athletic, on a two-season deal matching first-team coach Edin Terzic. Llopis, promoted after three successful seasons at Basconia, earned promotion to Segunda Federación and reached the UEFA Youth League. He replaces Jokin Aranbarri, who left for Eibar. Llopis previously coached youth teams at Leioa, Alavés, and San Ignacio, reinforcing Athletic’s academy pipeline.
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Athletic Club's Benches Undergo Youthful Renewal with New Appointments
Athletic Club is undergoing a comprehensive rejuvenation of its coaching staff across the first team, women's team, and reserve team as of June 2026. Edin Terzic, age 43, replaces the 62-year-old Ernesto Valverde as head coach of the men's first team. Víctor Martín, a 33-year-old Madrid-born coach with prior Liga F experience at Madrid CFF and Atlético, takes over the women's team from Javi Lerga (46). Bittor Llopis (38) is promoted from the second reserve team Basconia to replace Jokin Aranbarri (41) as coach of Bilbao Athletic. Aranbarri departs for Eibar after Rayo Vallecano triggered a clause to appoint Beñat San José as their new manager following Iñigo Pérez's move to Villarreal. The article emphasizes the obvious trend toward younger leadership across all three benches.
FútbolBittor Llopis Appointed New Coach of Athletic Bilbao's Reserve Team
Bittor Llopis has been officially named the new head coach of Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team of Athletic Club Bilbao. The Getxo native steps up from managing Basconia, where he spent three seasons (two in Tercera RFEF and one in Segunda RFEF). Llopis expressed pride in taking charge of the historic team, calling it an important step within the club's structure. He noted that he has previously coached approximately 85% of the squad during his time at Basconia and the youth team, allowing for immediate work. Llopis emphasized the importance of process and attention to detail, particularly in high-stakes areas of the pitch, as the team competes in the demanding Primera RFEF league. The role serves as the final stepping stone before players can move up to the senior first team, currently under manager Edin Terzic.
FútbolOfficial: Bittor Llopis Appointed New Coach of Bilbao Athletic
Athletic Club has officially confirmed that Bittor Llopis will become the head coach of Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team, for the next two seasons. He replaces Jokin Aranbarri, who is surprisingly leaving to manage Eibar in the Spanish Second Division following Beñat San José's move to Rayo Vallecano. Llopis, a native of Getxo, has risen through the ranks at Athletic's Lezama academy over the past four years. He started with the Honor Youth team, then spent three seasons at Basconia, the second reserve team, where he achieved promotion to Segunda RFEF as champions and secured survival with a tenth-place finish. The club also noted his handling of youth players in the UEFA Youth League, where Athletic remained unbeaten in the group stage before losing on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt. Before joining Athletic, Llopis coached at Alavés and Leioa.
FútbolAthletic Club Appoints Bittor Llopis as Bilbao Athletic Coach
Athletic Club has appointed Bittor Llopis, a 38-year-old from Getxo, as the new technical director of Bilbao Athletic, their reserve team competing in the Primera RFEF. Llopis signed a two-year contract, matching the term of first-team coach Edin Terzic. He steps up after three successful seasons coaching Basconia, where he achieved promotion to Segunda Federación and secured a tenth-place finish in their debut season. Llopis also led Athletic's youth team in the UEFA Youth League this season. He joined Lezama four years ago, coaching the Honor Division Youth team to a runner-up finish in the Copa. His earlier career included coaching youth teams at Leioa and Deportivo Alavés, as well as a stint with San Ignacio in Tercera División. The appointment reinforces Athletic's commitment to developing players through their renowned youth academy system.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club Appoints Bittor Llopis as Bilbao Athletic Coach
Athletic Club confirmed on June 24, 2026, that Bittor Llopis, a 38-year-old coach from Getxo, will become the new technical director of Bilbao Athletic, the club's final developmental team. Llopis signed a two-season contract, matching the duration of first-team head coach Edin Terzic's deal. He steps up after three successful seasons coaching Basconia, where he finished runner-up in the Copa with the youth team, won promotion to Segunda Federación by taking the Tercera league title, and managed to keep the team in the competitive category this season by finishing tenth after a strong second half. Llopis also led Athletic in the Youth League this season. His coaching career began in Leioa's youth categories and included three years at Deportivo Alavés leading youth teams and two seasons with San Ignacio in Tercera División. Bilbao Athletic will compete in Primera RFEF next season.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club Appoints Bittor Llopis as Bilbao Athletic Coach
Athletic Club announced on June 24, 2026, that Bittor Llopis will become the new technical director of Bilbao Athletic, the club's reserve team competing in Primera RFEF. The 38-year-old Getxo native signed a two-season contract, matching the tenure of first-team coach Edin Terzic. Llopis moves up after three seasons coaching Basconia and leading Athletic's youth team in the Youth League. He joined Lezama four seasons ago to coach the Honor Division Youth team, with which he was runner-up in the Copa. Previously, he coached at Basconia, achieving promotion to Segunda Federación, and began his career with Leioa youth categories and Deportivo Alavés. Llopis will oversee the final stage of player development and manage the transition of Lezama academy talents to professionalism.
LALIGA EA Sports // marca