Ernesto Valverde is the new @FCBarcelona coach.  
Welcome, Ernesto!#HolaValverde pic.twitter.com/XBjdEztHRe

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 29, 2017

He was always likely to be. Nicknamed “Txingurri”, the Ant, by Javier Clemente, Valverde played for Espanyol for two years, then for Barcelona before joining Athletic. At Barcelona, his spell was brief but he worked under Johan Cruyff, who he said “made an impact on us all”. In 1994, eight years before he even began coaching Athletic’s B team, Cruyff wrote of him: “He was intelligent and always expressed his interest to learn. As a coach he’ll be one of the most promising.” This is not the first time Barcelona have called, nor are they the only ones. Two summers ago Real Madrid wanted him: he was their first choice, ahead of Rafa Benítez.

Valverde said no, which says something about him. When Guardiola left Barcelona, he made two recommendations to succeed him: Valverde and his assistant Tito Vilanova. It was Vilanova they chose, seeking continuity, but two more offers followed swiftly. The next year Barcelona discreetly mentioned the job to him as they sought potential solutions to a delicate problem posed by Vilanova’s deteriorating health. Vilanova wanted to continue, so Barcelona respected that and Valverde agreed to return to Athletic. By the time doctors recommended that Vilanova did not continue, it was too late. Valverde had made a promise and he kept his word.

Tata Martino took over at the Camp Nou then but walked a year later. Again Barcelona offered Valverde the job; again he said he could not leave. When Madrid came, the response was the same. Barcelona accepted and signed Luis Enrique, but advised Valverde they would return. The change of sporting director did not change that intention and this summer, his contract up, European football secure for a fourth season, he and Athletic agreed it was time, no recriminations, no regrets.

free_cat wrote:Cruyff on Valverde, when Valverde was Espanyol's coach:

"Siempre hay que ver las cosas en su medida. Su trabajo es más que excelente. Si ves jugar al Espanyol da gusto verlo. Me alegro mucho que haya gente como él o como Rijkaard que a parte de intentar jugar dejen disfrutar a la gente, porque el fútbol es para esto"

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Would Herrera really be a bad signing? He would easily be our 4th best midfielder and was just United player of the season.

free_cat wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Would Herrera really be a bad signing? He would easily be our 4th best midfielder and was just United player of the season.

He wouldn't, at Iniesta's state, Herrera would probably improve on him. We would have a very solid defensive midfield, but with lack of quality and creativity.

However, the problem is that there are surely much better options than him. Isco, Verratti, etc.

danyjr wrote:The fact that he is after Herrera says a lot about his mentality tbh.

I'm definitely not taking anything away from him. He surely has done enough to justify Barcelona's decision to appoint him. However, I do think Madrid has given him a helping hand to "rise above" everybody else in La Liga.

With that I mean, any half-decent coach would've given him a proper fight with the squad Madrid has and he certainly wouldn't be trailing him by 19 points.

Valverde has done well, but his achievement wouldn't look this impressive if Madrid was breathing down his neck, 1 or 2 points shy of catching him.

Barcelona is the deserving La Liga leader, but their lead has a lot to do with Madrid sucking than them being good.

In my opinion, Valverde's Barcelona true worth will be tested in the CL against PSG or City Roma because I don't think leading this dreadful Madrid side by 19 points is anything out of the ordinary.

The Demon of Carthage wrote:

With that I mean, any half-decent coach would've given him a proper fight with the squad Madrid has and he certainly wouldn't be trailing him by 19 points.