{"id":1089343,"date":"2019-05-16T16:44:46","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T15:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1089343"},"modified":"2021-09-14T16:44:11","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T15:44:11","slug":"barcelona-decision-ernesto-valverde-future","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/barcelona-decision-ernesto-valverde-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona confirm decision on Ernesto Valverde’s future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barcelona president\u00a0Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed Ernesto Valverde will remain at the helm beyond this season, putting to bed doubts over the Spaniard’s future.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valverde, 55, came in for scathing criticism from some sections of the Barca fanbase after the club suffered a humiliating Champions League defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Why did some fans want\u00a0Valverde out? Five key things to know…<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. Valverde clinched the club’s 26th La Liga title this season and could add a 31st Copa del Rey if they triumph over Valencia on May 25.<\/li>\n
  2. Despite domestic success, Barca once again faltered in Europe, squandering a three-goal cushion to the Reds in the semi-final.<\/li>\n
  3. Barca led the first leg 3-0, but capitulated in the return fixture, conceding four goals to draw memories of last year’s similar defeat to Roma.<\/li>\n
  4. The Italian club pulled off a sensational “remontada” in the 2017\/18 quarter-finals, beating Barca 3-0 in the second leg having trailed 4-1 in the first.<\/li>\n
  5. Barca’s shortcomings in the Champions League have put heavy scrutiny on Valverde’s tenure, but Bartomeu has now backed the coach.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7259525-if-guardiola-s-to-be-believed-liverpool-lost-the-league-with-one-result<\/p>\n

    Despite\u00a0waltzing to a 3-0 lead at the Camp Nou, a makeshift Liverpool side without\u00a0Mohamed Salah or\u00a0Roberto Firmino appeared to channel the blistering Anfield energy and pulled off a remarkable 4-3 comeback.<\/p>\n

    Defeat in Europe has once again highlighted the frailties in Valverde’s side, even more so after Lionel Messi declared his desire to taste continental silverware at the start of the season.<\/p>\n

    As such, some fans have called for the dismissal of the Spanish tactician, but Bartomeu has now poured cold water on any talk of a departure, voicing his backing for Valverde.<\/p>\n

    Speaking at the launch of the ‘Kubala’ book, as reported by\u00a0Sport<\/a>, he said: “The planning for next season is already underway, for some time. There are layers that have been signed and we will talk about it after the (Copa) final.<\/p>\n

    “Valverde? I said the other day he has the support of the president and its board. He\u2019s the coach that we want. This is a medium to a long-term project.<\/p>\n

    “He has a contract and we\u2019re very happy with him. Now it\u2019s about the players recovering from the blow to their morale.”<\/p>\n