Bartomeu Insists Valverde Is Staying

By Joshua Walters

Barcelona are in no mood to let go of Ernesto Valverde as club president Josip Maria Bartomeu insists that the manager is going nowhere.

Bartomeu believes that the manager is performing the way the club wants and so will still be maintained at the helm of affairs next season.

Bartomeu's disclosure comes as a direct response to media reports that the club was not enthused by the performance of the Spanish trainer and has the plan to relieve him of his post.

"We don't have any doubts here that Valverde will be the Barcelona coach next season," says Bartomeu.

Valverde has won 13 La Liga games, drew 4 and lost 2 after nineteen games this season.

His run keeps the side at the top of the table with 43 points above second-placed Atletico Madrid with a five-point gap.

Valverde joined Barcelona from Athletic Bilbao in 2017 replacing fellow Spaniard Luis Enrique, who spent three years at the club.

Valverdi led the club to La Liga and the Copa del Rey glories in his first season last year and that in addition to his run this year has won Bartomeu's trust.

"We will speak with him, of course, in time.

"That's what we agreed. He's a coach we have a lot of confidence in.”

"He's doing a great job. He's an intelligent person, he knows Barcelona's system of play and he manages the games in a way which we like."