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What's the story?
According to Marca, after much deliberation and intervention from club captain and talisman Lionel Messi, the Barcelona board has decided to retain Ernesto Valverde as the Blaugrana manager till the start of next season.
According to reports, influential figures in the Barcelona dressing room, led by Messi were in support of Valverde, who has come under increased criticism after failing to get the Blaugrana past the knockout stages for a second Champions League season in a row and for losing last Saturday's Copa del Rey final to Valencia.
In case you didn't know...
Taking over from Luis Enrique in the 2017-18 season, Valverde won a lot of admirers with his pragmatic sense of football, winning the domestic double in his first season at the helm of the Blaugrana.
His second season at the Nou Camp seemed headed for an inevitable treble as Barcelona steamrolled all opposition to reach the Champions League semi-finals and win the La Liga with four matchdays to spare. But a shock elimination in the Champions League to Liverpool, letting a handsome first leg lead slip away, had many pundits and fans calling for Valverde's axing.
Last Saturday's 2-1 loss to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final added further fuel to the fire. The Blaugrana were expected to announce a replacement for Valverde soon with Netherlands' manager Ronald Koeman and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez the rumoured favorties to land the coveted role.
The heart of the matter
Reports had emerged earlier this week that Barcelona had confirmed Valverde's axing but latest information suggest that is not the case.
RAC's Gerard Romero rescinded his earlier reports, remarking
"NEW TWIST in the situation of Valverde. Bartomeu will NOT dismiss Ernesto Valverde and he will be the coach next season. Apologies for the day, sorry for the confusion. A thousand apologies."
According to Marca, Messi, along with senior Barcelona players Ivan Rakitic, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are in favor of Valverde staying on.
What's next?
Barcelona head to Japan for a pre-season friendly in July. They are set to face English giants Chelsea on July 27th in Saitama.
