Ernesto Valverde's career stage at Barcelona has come to an end. The latest reports indicate that the Catalan club's management has decided to part ways with the coach.
ESPN and "Onda Cero" report that the coach will come on Tuesday to say goodbye to the team and take his last belongings. His departure should be officially announced tomorrow.
E. Valverde's future at Barcelona is hanging by a thread, as the team fell to Madrid's Atletico in Saudi Arabia. However, this decision had been brewing for some time – the game did not satisfy either the players themselves or the club's fans.
As for who will take over the team's reins – no information is available. Various names are being mentioned in the media – Quique Setien, Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri, and Garcia Pimienta. Xavi's candidacy is also not completely ruled out, but he is inclined to return only in the summer.
E. Valverde has been coaching Barca since the summer of 2017. During that time, the team became Spanish champions twice and won the Copa del Rey once.
The 55-year-old Spaniard will be the first coach since 2003 that Barcelona will dismiss in the middle of the season.
