Barcelona may sack Ernesto Valverde and hire Mauricio Pochettino because of one person

Barcelona have a chance of replacing Ernesto Valverde with Mauricio Pochettino because of the former Tottenham manager’s good relationship with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, according to reports. Valverde could be sacked today after failing to steer the club to Spanish Super Cup glory.

Valverde went into the campaign knowing he had to silence his Barcelona critics following a difficult last season.

The club won the La Liga title but failed to win the Copa del Rey or Champions League, losing to Valencia and Liverpool.

Valverde has steered Barcelona to the top of the league table so far this season but failed to win the Spanish Super Cup, with the club losing to Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia last week.

And, now, he could be sacked.

Mundo Deportivo say the 55-year-old’s job is hanging by a thread and Barca are looking at replacements.

They’ve been in negotiations with Xavi, something the 2010 World Cup winner has admitted himself.

But Pochettino is also in the frame.

And the report says he has good relationship with Bartomeu, meaning there’s a possibility of the former Tottenham manager taking over.

Pochettino has always insisted he wouldn’t manage Barcelona out of respect for old club Espanyol.

Speaking in 2017, when he was still in charge of Spurs, he said: “I know him [Bartomeu] for a long time – before he became chairman of Barcelona.

“Our children went to the same school in Barcelona. We spent five minutes together. That was the reality. After that you know the rumour is impossible to stop.

“But I am an Espanyol supporter. I don’t think I need to speak too much.

“In football I know it is so difficult to keep your values and to be loyal – with your heart and emotion.

“But for me before being a manager, before being a player, being loyal is more important. I am an Espanyol fan. I love Espanyol.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona hero Andres Iniesta has slammed the club’s treatment of Valverde.

Valverde has had to hear about his future through the media, with Barca keeping him in the dark.

And Iniesta said: “Barcelona’s behaviour has been a little ugly.

“You have to have respect for your current coach. The way things are done is what can hurt the most.” 

source: express.co.uk