Ernesto Valverde full of emotion as he returns to former club Olympiakos

Ernesto Valverde was back in Bilbao at the weekend to face his former side Athletic and on Tuesday night he will face another of his old clubs, Olympiakos.

During two spells and three years with the Greek club, Valverde won three league titles and the hearts of the club's supporters. 

"It’s really exciting to come back to Athens, to this stadium, because it means so much to me," he said of his return to Olympiakos. 

"We had some great games here. I am looking forward to game in every sense because it's an important game and we could even qualify for the next round.

"It's also an important game for Olympiakos. To come back to a club I was at for so many years is obviously extraordinary emotional for me." 

On his time in Greece and the respect people have for him, he added: "I always felt respect from the people here in Greece, even Olympiakos’ most bitter rivals — PAOK, Panathinaikos — have always been really nice to me.

"They defend their teams, but they’ve always been very respectful of me. I’ve been back here since I left as it’s a place which is very dear to me.

"I had some very special games when I was here: the games when we won the league, when we played in the Champions League and Europa League against the big teams, some Greek cup finals as well… unforgettable times.

"But for me, it’s not just Olympiakos fans, but Greek fans in general. They’re very different to fans in other countries. They come and have a real party, with so much passion, not just in one part of the stadium, but all over. We will feel that tomorrow when we go out on to the pitch."