MADRID, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Bilbao head coach Edin Terzic said he has remained in regular contact with the club's three World Cup winners as he prepares for the new La Liga season.
The former Borussia Dortmund coach replaced Ernesto Valverde this summer, taking on the challenge of succeeding the man who led Athletic across three spells spanning 10 years.
Athletic has enjoyed a positive start to preseason, winning its first three warmup matches against lower-division opponents despite the absence of Spain internationals Nico Williams, Aymeric Laporte and Unai Simon, who all played key roles in the country's World Cup triumph.
The trio has been granted three weeks' vacation before returning to the club, but Terzic said he is in no hurry to have them back after watching his side win 2-0 at fourth-tier Sestao River.
"We hope that in the future we can have more champions. For us as a coaching staff and for the club, it is very important," he said. "We're very proud that these players are part of our group and our dressing room."
Terzic said he had stayed in touch with all the club's World Cup participants, including Ghana captain and Athletic skipper Inaki Williams.
"I'm in contact with all the players who participated in the World Cup. It's important that we build a connection and that there's communication so they understand the message," he said.
Terzic also dismissed speculation linking Laporte with a move to Barcelona. The Spain defender returned to Athletic, where he began his professional career, at the start of last season, and reports of Barcelona's interest come after the Catalan club's unsuccessful pursuit of Nico Williams over the previous two summers.
"It's a story that is repeated constantly, although the name might change," Terzic said. He added that he hopes Laporte "is back here soon so I can work with him." ■
