Barcelona fires manager, hires Setien
Barcelona made a rare coaching change midway through the season, replacing Ernesto Valverde with former Real Betis manager Quique Setien on Monday.
The move came four days after the loss to Atletico Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup, a result that significantly increased pressure on Valverde.
The club said it reached an agreement with Valverde to terminate his contract.
Setien, a 61-year-old Spaniard who was a midfielder for Atletico Madrid, is known for setting up teams that often mimicked Barcelona’s attacking-minded style.
Setien will be officially introduced Tuesday at Camp Nou Stadium. He was given a contract through June 2022.
It’s the first time since 2003 that Barcelona has made a change in the middle of the season.
Valverde’s departure came with Barcelona leading La Liga in a bid for its third straight crown, and a few weeks from facing Napoli in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Barcelona drew three of its last four Liga games, though, and pressure on Valverde increased after the team conceded two late goals in a 3-2 loss to Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Baseball: Nationals pitching prospect Fausto Segura died in a traffic accident Sunday night in his hometown of Barahona, Dominican Republic. He was 23. The right-hander spent the last three seasons in the Nationals’ minor league system.
College football: Oklahoma State AllAmerica RB Chuba Hubbard will return for his junior season. Hubbard, the Big 12 offensive player of the year, led the nation with 2,094 rushing yards and scored 21 TDs on the ground this season, joining Barry Sanders as the only players in school history to rush for at least 2,000 yards . ... Baylor All-America DL James Lynch will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Lynch, the Big 12 defensive player 1of the year, led the league in sacks with 13 ⁄2 and was second in tackles for loss with 191⁄2 . ... Arizona State gave coach Herm Edwards a contract extension through the 2024 season, adding two years to his previous deal. Edwards went 15-11 in his first two seasons, leading the Sun Devils to two straight bowl games . ... College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock received a contract extension.
— News services