Barca’s Ernesto Valverde.  AFP/Getty Images/Lluis Gene

Barcelona’s Ernesto Valverde is not every Barca fan’s cup of tea. That is solely because he’s not the most easy-on-the-eye coach of Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka ilk.

 The spaniard’s record at Barca though, speaks for itself. In 96 matches, he has won 65, drawn 22 and lost nine. Scoring 223 goals and conceding 78 with 45 clean sheets. 

 Importantly, Valverde’s impact behind the scenes has been remarkable. He successfully managed the departure of Neymar at the start of last season and secured a league and cup double in his debut season. They almost went the whole season unbeaten too.

 Valverde maintains the respect of the squad and excellently managed Ousmane Dembele’s disciplinary issues with the club. The squad works well with him, and Lionel Messi must have been pivotal in confirming such harmony before a renewal.

AFP/Getty Images/ Ander Gillenea

 The Barcelona board are happy with their manager too, the contract renewal keeps unwelcome speculation away from their squad. It keeps a positive image of the club and it makes sense to keep a manager who never attracts negative headlines. He accepts their decisions such as the sale of Paulinho. It’s a measure of their absolute trust in the manager that they sanctioned the arrivals of Arturo Vidal, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jeison Murillo. Atypical Barcelona signings.

  Barcelona currently top La Liga table by six points and face Lyon in the Champions League Round of 16, before a Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg with Real Madrid (1-1 after the first leg). A Spanish Super Cup has already been secured this season and Barcelona look forward to stability for another year at least. 

 The only blemish to his reign was the ‘Romantada‘ quarter-final loss to Roma after a 4-1 lead from the first leg. Many fans have not forgiven him for that one, a lot more would never accept his style of football. Continental success is therefore the priority for most fans. 


 Valverde and Simeone aren’t favourites for football purists yet they are winners and manage two of Spain’s most important clubs. Their contract extensions ensure stability at both clubs who would look forward to resounding success.