Barcelona’s stunning mid-season coach change
BARCELONA has made a rare coaching change midway through the season, replacing Ernesto Valverde with former Real Betis manager Quique Setien.
The move came four days after the La Liga leaders’ loss to Atletico Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup, a result that increased pressure on Valverde.
The club said it reached an agreement with the 55-yearold to terminate his contract.
Setien, a 61-year-old Spaniard who played for Atletico Madrid, is known for setting up teams that mimicked Barcelona’s attacking-minded style.
“Throughout his career he has been a proponent of possession-based, attacking football that has been attractive to the fans,” Barcelona said of Setien.
The club called him “one of the most experienced coaches in Spanish football.” He was presented at the Camp Nou overnight after he sealed a deal until June 2022.
It is the first time since 2003 Barcelona has made a change in the middle of the season.
Louis van Gaal left the club that January and since then six coaches have begun their stints at the start of the season.
The announcement brought to a close a dramatic day at the club that started with Valverde turning up early for training and then meeting president Josep Bartomeu before the club’s board of directors met to seal his fate.
Barcelona leads the Spanish league and soon faces Napoli in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
It drew three of its past four Liga games, and pressure on Valverde increased after the team conceded two late goals in the 3-2 loss to Atletico in Saudi Arabia.
The length of Setien’s contract will surprise many, particularly in view of former star Xavi Hernandez having been the board’s apparent first choice.
However, it is believed Xavi — coach of Qatari side Al Saad — turned down an offer to take the reins at Barca.
Setien had been with Betis since 2017 and qualified it for the Europa League in his first season before he decided to take some time off at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
He previously coached smaller clubs Racing Santander, Las Palmas and Lugo.
In addition to successive league titles, Valverde also won the Copa del Rey in 2018 after taking charge in 2017.
Hiss standing was weakened by his failure to win the Champions League, suffering eliminations by Roma in 2018 and Liverpool in 2019.
Barcelona’s next game is on Sunday at home against Granada in La Liga.