Barcelona new coach valverde
You're referring to Ernesto Valverde, the Spanish football manager who was appointed as the new head coach of FC Barcelona in May 2017. Here are some key facts about his tenure at the club:
Background: Valverde was born in 1955 in Las Cabañas, Spain. He played as a midfielder for clubs like Deportivo La Coruña and Real Valladolid before transitioning to coaching. He managed clubs like Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos before taking over at Barcelona.
Style of play: Valverde is known for his tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations. He often employs a 4-3-3 formation, but is not afraid to switch to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 if needed. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, discipline, and possession-based football.
Success at Barcelona: Under Valverde, Barcelona won two La Liga titles (2017-18 and 2018-19), the Copa del Rey (2017-18), and the Supercopa de España (2018). He also led the team to the Champions League semifinals in 2018-19.
Notable achievements:
- Won the first La Liga title of the post-Luis Enrique era (2017-18)
- Led Barcelona to a record-breaking 43-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (2017-18)
- Won the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 thrashing of Sevilla in the final (2018)
- Took Barcelona to the Champions League semifinals, where they were eliminated by Liverpool (2018-19)
Controversies and criticisms: Valverde's tenure at Barcelona was not without controversy. Some critics felt that his tactics were too defensive-minded, and that he failed to get the best out of certain players, such as Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé. He also faced criticism for his team selection and substitutions in key matches.
Departure: Valverde was sacked by Barcelona in January 2020, after a 3-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Supercopa de España. He was replaced by Quique Setién, who took over as the new head coach of the club.