United know all about the opposition manager ahead of their Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao
In an alternate universe, Ernesto Valverde could have been sat in the Manchester United dugout at San Mames in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg clash.
Instead, he will be the man plotting their demise as he bids to lead Athletic Bilbao to a Europa League final that will be played in their own stadium.
Valverde is already a managerial hero in Bilbao after he guided them to their first major trophy in 40 years by winning last season’s Copa Del Rey.
Now he is just two wins away from guiding them to their first ever European trophy, 13 years since they were beaten in the Europa League final by Atletico Madrid.
The 61-year-old has enjoyed an excellent managerial career which has seen him win multiple trophies as manager of Greek side Olympiacos and back-to-back La Liga titles while in charge of Barcelona.
He also has experience of guiding a side through to a European final, having steered Espanyol to the UEFA Cup final back in 2007.
So when United needed a new manager after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021 and Valverde was out of work, it made sense for them to open contact with the Spaniard over becoming their interim manager.
Valverde was out of a job after being sacked by Barcelona and United felt he fit the template of being an experienced coach who may not expect to get the job on a permanent basis after the stint as interim manager.
He had previously hinted he would be interest in managing in the Premier League and said prior to the 2021/22 season: “Things have come up that I turned down. The idea of going abroad is attractive: something different.”
When pressed whether he would be interested in managing in England, replied: “Could be. I wouldn’t mind trying it. You get the feeling that there’s a respect there for what the game is.”
As it transpired, Ralf Rangnick was given the position with the idea being he would move into a sporting director role at the end of the season.
United finished the season terribly, Rangnick left the club altogether and Erik ten Hag was appointed as the new manager in the summer of 2022.
That summer also saw Valverde return to the game, as he was appointed as Athletic Bilbao manager for a third spell.
Last season saw Bilbao finish fifth in La Liga and win the Copa Del Rey. This term, they are in fourth place and look on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
If they can back that up by winning the Europa League in their own stadium he will go down as one of the greatest managers in Athletic Club history.
And there will be a cruel irony of a manager who could have been appointed as United manager being the man who ends Ruben Amorim’s hopes of ending his first season at Old Trafford with some silverware and a place in next season’s Champions League.
Certainly, if United do manage to overcome Athletic and Valverde, it will be Amorim’s greatest triumph yet.
