Spain
Spanish champions Barcelona has sacked its coach Ernesto Valverde and appointed Quique Setien, the club announced Monday.
The decision to remove Valverde was confirmed following a board meeting that last over 4 hours.
Barca top the La Liga, but have only won one of their last five matches. Valverde is the first coach the club has sacked mid-season since Louis van Gall in 2003.
Setien is one of the most experienced coaches in Spanish football.
Setien was presented at a press conference at Camp Nou on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, the club said ‘‘Barcelona and Setien have reached an agreement for the latter to become first team coach until 30 June 2022’‘, it said.
‘‘Setien is one of the most experienced coaches in Spanish football. Throughout his career, he has been a proponent of possession based, attacking football that has been attractive to the fans”, it added.
Setien’s first game will be at home to Granada on Sunday.
Barcelona will play Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League next month and Real Madrid in the league at the start of March.
AFP
Go to video
Haller joins Ajax, Man Utd complete signing of Amad
01:03
Five Candidates confirmed for CAF presidency
01:15
Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah is the Top Scorer in the Qatari League
01:20
Gabon's Aaron Boupendza wows Turkish Super League
02:08
Uganda Cranes Arrive in Cameroon Ahead of CHAN 2020
Go to video
Moroccan Rapide Oued Zem club strive for success