Report: Ernesto Valverde to take over as next Barcelona manager
Barcelona have been searching for the next manager, and it seems as if they’ve found their man.
Barcelona have reportedly found their successor to Luis Enrique to take over next season, per Marçal Lorente of Mundo Deportivo. The manager in question Ernesto Valverde, currently the manager of Athletic Bilbao, who sit sixth in the La Liga table.
Valverde’s contract with Athletic Bilbao is set to run out at the end of the current campaign –perfect timing with the Barcelona position opening as well. In his current stint as manager of Bilbao, Valverde has compiled a 102-45-64 record. On top of that, Valverde and Bilbao won the Supercopa de Espana in 2015, beating his future employer 5-1 on aggregate.
The rumored contract between Barcelona and Valverde will see him as the manager through the 2018-19 campaign. And stepping into one of the strongest attacking squads in world football is surely something Valverde will be immensely grateful for.
Valverde has been at Barcelona once before, but not as a manager. Valverde played for Barcelona for two seasons during his playing career. During his time as a player at the club, he won the 1989-90 Copa Del Rey and the 1988-89 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. In the 22 games he played for them, Valverde scored eight goals.
EXCLUSIVA. Valverde será el próximo entrenador del Barça. Firmará por 2 temporadas y será anunciado el próximo 31 de mayo o 1 de junio.
— Marçal Lorente (@Marsallorente) May 15, 2017
This will be the eighth managerial position Valverde has had during his roughly 15-year managerial career. Valverde has managed Athletic Bilbao (2002-05, 2013-present), Espanyol (2006-2008), Olympiacos (2008-2009 and August 2010-May 2012), Villareal (June 2009-January 2010) and Valencia (December 2012-June 2013).
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Olympiacos was the most successful tenure for Valverde, as he won five titles during his two stints with the club. Valverde has experienced relative success at every club he has managed, winning over 300 games during his managerial career.
With no official word from Barcelona yet, the announcement will likely come after the end of the season.