The fate of the Barcelona manager has finally been decided after months of speculation as it was revealed by the club on Friday.
Ernesto Valverde is not a typical Barcelona manager and he never will be. But with three silverwares in one and a half year, the Spaniard has been quite successful at the Catalan capital. So despite various rumours regarding his future, the 55-year old has renewed his contract with the club.
Valverde Stays:
Valverde’s contract was set to expire at the end of this season. But the Catalans have now tied the manager to a new deal for 2019-20 with an option for another 12-moth extension at the end of the next season.
Barcelona also released an official statement about the manager’s renewal: “FC Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde, the first team coach, have reached an agreement to extend the contract between the two parties for another season (2019/20) with the option for one more (2020/21).”
The Catalan manager has received a lot of criticism from the fans and media due to his tactics, which are a lot different from what Barcelona are famous for. The Messidependencia has never been more visible as the Argentine almost always has to play a role in saving Barcelona in difficult situations. But despite the criticism, Valverde won the La Liga and Copa Del Rey last season and started this season with the victory in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona are once again at the top of the table in La Liga with a 6-point lead over second placed Real Madrid. The Catalans are also in the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey and will face Lyon in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
Despite the results and current form, not everyone was happy with the Barcelona manager’s renewal:
Barcelona will face Valladolid in the next league game before travelling to France for the Champions League fixture.
Author’s Take:
Valverde’s tactics are definitely much different than the likes of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. But as long as he is winning the games and silverwares, there is nothing wrong with that. The manager has even promoted La Masia product Carlos Alena to the first team and played a huge role in making things right for Dembele and can possibly do the same with Coutinho now. Most importantly, he is on the same page with Leo Messi and other seniors in the dressing room.
All in all, Valverde has done great things for Barcelona in the last one and a half year and it was a right call by the club to renew his contract.
