Former West Ham United assistant Edin Terzic was reportedly on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur before the ill-fated appointment of Igor Tudor.
So, as the floundering Tudor hangs by a thread at free-falling Spurs, was there a possibility that the Hammers’ relegation rivals could turn to a man who spent two years alongside Slaven Bilic at Upton Park and the London Stadium?
According to The Athletic, Terzic was ‘informally approached’ by Tottenham in the wake of Thomas Frank’s overdue departure in February.
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As it transpired, the former West Ham United assistant did not want to take over a club without the benefit of a full pre-season, especially one in as much danger as Spurs.
The soon-to-be vacant Athletic Bilbao dugout, then, ticks far more boxes as far as Edin Terzic is concerned.
Ex-West Ham United assistant Edin Terzic set for Athletic Bilbao
While former Monaco and RB Leipzig boss Adi Hutter is now in the frame to take over from Tudor at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Diario AS report that Terzic has emerged as the leading contender to replace the legendary Ernesto Valverde at San Mames.
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Valverde, who led Barcelona to successive La Liga titles in 2018 and 2019, recently announced that he will leave his beloved Athletic in the summer.
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President Jon Uriate has selected Terzic as his number one target, over Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Now, AS reports that Terzic has discussed a move to Spain with Barcelona’s ex-Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, in addition to the iconic Jupp Heynckes. The man who guided Bayern to a treble in 2013 coached Athletic for two years just after the turn of the century.
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Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of West Ham United, looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on March 22, 2026. Sweden's coach Graham Potter arrives on the pitch prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification Group B football match between Sweden and Slovenia, in Solna on November 18, 2025.
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Unlike Tottenham – who need a manager, a saviour right here, right now – Terzic would have the luxury of taking over Athletic following the final game of the current campaign. Replacing Valverde, who won Athletic their first Copa del Rey title in 40 years, would be no easy task.
But far less risky than inheriting a poisoned chalice and taking one of the biggest clubs in English football into the Championship for the first time ever.
According to TEAMtalk, former West Ham full-back Chris Hughton has been considered by Tottenham as, well, an interim to replace the existing interim.
Much to the excitement of one Joe Cole, West Ham will knock Tottenham into the relegation zone if they beat Wolves at home in their first league match after the international break. Spurs face Sunderland away later that weekend.
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