• Uriarte grabbed 46.7% of the votes.
• Arechabaleta said Bielsa should be the successor.
• Athletic did not manage to qualify for European competitions last season.

Jon Uriarte was chosen president of Athletic Bilbao, defeating Inaki Arechabaleta, who supported the return of Marcelo Bielsa as head coach, according to the La Liga club.

Club members elected Uriarte to a four-year term with 46.7% of the vote on Friday, edging out Arechabaleta (33.7% of the vote) and Ricardo Barkala (28.2% of the vote) (18.1 percent).

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In the presence of his predecessor Aitor Elizegi, the 44-year-old entrepreneur assumed office in a brief ceremony at San Mames stadium.

Arechabaleta offered former Leeds head coach Bielsa for Athletico Bilbao coach to replace outgoing Marcelino during a news conference on Monday.

Bielsa, who led Athletic Bilbao for two seasons between 2011 and 2013, stated in a video broadcast during Arechabaleta’s press conference that he had “started to think about giving a positive response”

The 66-year-old has been unemployed since his release from Leeds in February of last year.

With Uriarte’s triumph, Ernesto Valverde is expected to return for a third spell as coach.

Since his dismissal from FC Barcelona in January 2020, the 58-year-old Spaniard has been unattached.

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Last season, Athletic finished ninth in La Liga and did not qualify for European competitions.