#3 Real Madrid wanted him
When Real Madrid sacked Carlo Ancelotti, they wanted to appoint Valverde as their next manager. He rejected the approach straight away and remained at Bilbao.
He rebuffed the interest from Madrid as he wanted to complete the project he had at San Mames. Former Athletic midfielder Javi González puts in the aptest way, “At Athletic, there’s a ‘Before’ and ‘After’ Valverde.”
Los Blancos had to go for Rafa Benitez, but the Spaniard lasted only a few moths before he was shown the exit door. Zidane replaced him, and indirectly, Valverde rejecting them has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for them.
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