Under-performed Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde’s future remains in doubt and the club could announce his sacking with Roberto Martínez named as a potential replacement.
RAC 1 reports that Barcelona are eyeing former Everton and current Belgium manager Roberto Martinez as a replacement for Ernesto Valverde after the team suffered another unexpected reverse in a crunch match – this time tasting defeat to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.
The report states that the Belgium manager, who won the FA Cup with Wigan in 2012/13, is in line to take over the reins at the club as he is more attacking, demands more of the players in training and is more proactive with his substitutions and in-game management.
Josep Bartomeu had previously given Valverde his backing after their 4-0 loss to Liverpool but after a 2-1 loss to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, which was their first title in 11 years and Marcelino’s first title ever and his first win over the blaugrana seems to have changed their plans.
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez has played down speculation that he could be set to take over from Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona manager.
Martinez, who has also managed Swansea, Wigan and Everton to varying degrees of success, has reportedly impressed Barcelona with his playing style and day-to-day training methods. Asked about rumours that he could be about to take over the reins at the Nou Camp, Martinez told HLN:
‘I do not say “yes” to anyone without first talking to Bart [Verhaeghe] and Mehdi [Bayat] (Belgian football federation) first.’ Although Martinez is tied into a contract with Belgium until the 2020 European Championships, the prospect of managing a club of Barca’s stature may convince the Spaniard to force his way out.
‘I do not think too much about my future. The only thing that worries me is to win. Every day is a battle,’ he said last weekend. ‘If you look around the coaches in LaLiga, we are part of the show. We all get ups and downs. You only have to see what happened to Marcelino, who had a moment, or Madrid changing coach.
Valverde has been in charge of Barcelona since 2017 when he replaces Luis Enrique. He won a double in his first season but the Champions League semi-final defeat to Roma left a bitter taste and the manner in which this season ended seems to be the final straw for the 55-year-old.
Anthony Nlebem
