Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has sung the praises of coach Ernesto Valverde.

Williams says Valverde has found a way for Athletic to fulfill it's potential.

He told AS: “For me, everything, he is the leader, the one who has found the key with this team, he has known how to bring out the best version of all the players and manage the changes, the promotion of the reserve team players, the minutes…

"He is the architect of all this, he deserves it more than anyone. This recognition from the Copa will make him one of the best Athletic coaches in history. He deserves it. He tells us to heed his words in everything he says, but what he communicates to us is done with a lot of sense.

"We are proud that he is our coach. That he can continue with this project for many years is very necessary for Athletic."