From scouting reports to the Champions League final: the rise of Edin Terzić
In short: How does a lower-league forward transform into a top-tier manager? Edin Terzić’s journey from analyzing opponents for Croatia to leading Borussia Dortmund to a European final is a masterclass in professional evolution. His path proves that meticulous tactical preparation and scouting can bridge the gap to the highest level.
Born in Menden, West Germany, to a working-scale family of Yugoslavian heritage, Terzić’s path to elite management was built on meticulous observation. His breakthrough came through scouting and analysis; notably, his pre-game report for Croatia’s match against the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012 was so impressive that it caught the attention of then-manager Slaven Bilić. This connection launched a period of significant apprenticeship, as Terzić served as Bilić’s assistant at Lokomotiv Moscow, Beşiktaş, and West Ham United.
Terzić’s tactical foundation was further refined within the Borussia Dortmund ecosystem. Between 2011 and 2013, he worked within the club's academy under Jürgen Klopp. After earning his UEFA Pro Licence through an 18-month course with The Football Association in 2018, he returned to Dortmund’s first team as an assistant to Lucien Favre. His transition to head coach in 2020 marked a period of high-stakes drama, including a DFB-Pokal victory in 2021 and a heartbreaking Bundesliga title race in 2022–23, where Dortmund lost the championship to Bayern Munich on goal difference following a draw with Mainz 05.
The pinnacle of his tenure at Dortmund arrived in the 2023–24 season. Under Terzić's leadership, the side secured 5th in the Bundesliga and reached the Champions League final, overcoming Paris Saint-Germain 2–0 on aggregate during the semis, only to lose 2–0 against Real Madrid. After departing Dortmund by his own request in June 2024, Terzić’s next chapter was confirmed in May 2026, when La Liga’s Athletic Bilbao announced him as their head coach for the 2026–27 season.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Edin Terzić
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