Ernesto Valverde to Remain Barcelona’s Manager Says Club’s President

Ernesto Valverde. Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

Following Barcelona’ shocking elimination in UEFA Champions League semi-finals, reports started circling that the team is considering firing their manager Ernesto Valverde. It seems like that won’t be the case, however, as Barca’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, recently confirmed that Valverde will remain at the helm in next season as well.

Although Barcelona is playing great in La Liga, the team can’t make it over the hump in Champions League under Valverde. In his first season with the team, Barca was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the competition by AS Roma although they have won the first match with 4-1. A similar thing happened this year, since Barcelona won the first game against Liverpool 3-0, only to suffer a 4-0 loss in the second one.

Despite this, Valverde will likely get a third chance next season as Bartomeu says he is the manager that the club wants.

“Valverde already said the other day in a press conference that he has the support of the president and the board,” – Bartomeu told reporters on Thursday. “He is the manager we want.”

“We renewed him recently. We know that the projects are not short-term. Projects are for medium and long-term,” – he added.

Ernesto Valverde joined Barcelona in 2017, replacing Luis Enrique as the team’s manager. Although his reign kicked off with a loss to their bitter rivals Real Madrid in Spanish Supercup, Valverde managed to bounce back and led the team to both La Liga and Copa Del Rey trophies in his first season. Barca will finish this season at the top of national competition this season as well while having the chance to claim a double title in the Copa Del Rey final match against Valencia.

Ben loves sports so much but prefers watching other people do it. He prefers not to share what teams he's supporting but he is willing to admit that Lebron James is, in fact, the king.