Ernesto Valverde Tejedor Biography

Ernesto Valverde Tejedor is a former Spanish footballer who played as a striker, and current coach of Valencia. He was born in February 9, 1964.

Playing career of Ernesto Valverde:

He began his professional career in second Division teams Deportivo Alaves and Sestao and during the summer transfer window of 1986 he moved to RCD Espanyol. His debut in La Liga is on August 31 for a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. In 1988, under the leadership of Javier Clemente the team reached the final of the UEFA Cup against Bayer Leverkusen. In the first match Espanyol reached 3-0 but lost the second leg with the same result after a penalty shootout.

Next season he moved to the ranks of Barcelona under the leading of Johan Cruyff. Although he won a EUFA Winners’ Cup and 1988-89 Copa Del Rey 1990 Valverde failed to beat the competition of the other strikers in the team Julio Salinas and Gary Lineker.  In 1990 signed with Athletic Bilbao whom plays in for six seasons. Ending his career of 33 years with the team competing then in Segunda team of Mallorca, it is a major contributor to the return of the club in La Liga in 1997.

Coaching career of Ernesto Valverde:

After his active Playing career, Valverde starts coaching career in youth formations Athletic Bilbao. Four years later, in 2001, he became assistant to Jupp Heynckes in the first team. In 2002, he took over the “B" team of the club, and in 2003 is now head coach of the first team. During the 2003-04 season ended in fifth place in La Liga and qualified for the UEFA Cup.

In 2006, Valverde took the training of his former club - Espanyol. He led them to play the final of the UEFA Cup, but it lost again after a penalty shootout, this time from Seville. On May 28, 2008 Valverde was appointed coach of the Greek Olympiacos, replacing the post of his compatriot Jose Segura. In the first season he won the championship and the Cup of Greece. However, on May 8, 2009 the club decided not to renew the contract of skill and Valverde was released. On June 2, 2009 Villarreal offered him a one-year contract to succeed Real Madrid Chilean Manuel Pellegrini. He was discharged on 31 January 2010 after the home defeat by Osasuna. On August 7, 2010 Valverde took advantage over for the second time Olympiakos. On April 19, 2012, after again duplicate the success of his previous stay in the club, Valverde announced his decision to leave for family reasons. On December 3, 2012 he was appointed to be the head coach of Valencia.