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Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde extends contract

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Athletic Club Bilbao confirmed on Thursday that coach Ernesto Valverde has extended his contract with the club for another year until the end of June 2017.

The news means that the former player will spend a fourth season with the Basque outfit he also coached between 2003-2005.

Valverde signed his new deal after Wednesday night's 4-1 win over Deportivo la Coruna, which leaves Athletic seventh in the BBVA Primera Liga, one point behind sixth place Celta Vigo.

Athletic also reached the quarter-finals of the Kings Cup this season, before losing to FC Barcelona, who also beat them in last year's Cup final.

However, Valverde led Athletic to success over Barca in the Spanish Supercup at the start of this season -- the first silverware the club has won since 1984 and his side has also qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League.

"I am delighted to continue enjoying Athletic. I am grateful for the confidence the club has shown and I hope we can continue in this line and improve even more," said Valverde on the club website.

The decision by the coach to extend his stay for a fourth year ends rumors that he could replace Spain coach, Vicente del Bosque this summer and that he could also be a target for Real Madrid. Endit