Marcelo Bielsa was non-committal on his Athletic Bilbao future, but did assess that Ernesto Valverde would be deserving of the job.
Valverde, who has confirmed he is leaving Valencia in the summer, has been strongly linked with making a return to the Basque Country outfit this summer, with Bielsa leaving at the expiry of his deal, after an unsuccessful second year with the club.
However, when asked for comment on the situation, the Argentine was still non-committal.
“I have already said what I will say. Whatever answer I give will not separate me from my current commitment,” affirmed Bielsa to reporters on Saturday evening.
“My contract ends on June 30 and it is not convenient for me to express myself on the subject.
“Ernesto Valverde will replace me? I cannot comment on that, I can just say that he is a top notch professional and he would deserve any team in the Primera Division, including Athletic.
“I need not tell you that.”
Bielsa was talking after his side’s 2-2 final day draw at Rayo Vallecano, which was achieved despite playing 80 minutes with 10 men, after Aritz Aduriz’ early second booking.
“The game was in Rayo’s domain. In the first half, despite that, we created more chances than them and we controlled the game.
“At the beginning of the second half there was a series of events that unbalanced the process and favoured Rayo. Then the game slowed, levelled out.
“In the end we have drawn and the point earned is hard fought for, we worked hard and were very courageous.
“Playing 80 minutes with 10 men for the red card of Aduriz, we made a collective effort to make up for that disadvantage, but we did not have the protagonist that we were looking for.”
