Valverde: more open than ever to taking Barcelona job
The coach is set to manage his last game as Atlhletic boss at San Mames on Sunday
He remains the favourite to replace Luis Enrique, who will leave after the Copa final
Ernesto Valverde will experience his last match at San Mames as Athletic Club manager on Sunday. Save any surprises, the coach will announce his future at the end of the season and will say goodbye to the Bilbao club after four years of success. Valverde has still not confirmed his next move, but his people have made it clear he's available and he will listen to Barcelona if the club decide he's the man to replace Luis Enrique on the bench.
Recent weeks have given way to all types of rumours. From offers from Premier League clubs to the idea that he could take a year off. The reality is that he has been debating whether to leave Athletic or not. That has always been his priority knowing of Barça's interest after Luis Enrique confirmed his departure. Valverde has always prioritised Athletic, but feels his time at the club is coming to an end and a contract renewal now is almost impossible.
From there, Valverde has been listening to interested clubs, but will only speak directly with them at the end of the season. And, evidently, he is waiting for Barça. He knows that he's well placed in the running for the job and believes there's plenty of time to plan for next season. In the case that Barça make the move, it's very likely an agreement between both parties is reached.
It's true that there is Premier League interest from one club and Sevilla have him as an option to replace the outgoing Jorge Sampaoli, but Valverde is set on taking the Barcelona job at the moment and the possibility to fight for titles. He has resisted the Catalan side before and feels this could be the last chance he gets in his career to take the Camp Nou top job.
At Barça there has been total secrecy about who will be Luis Enrique's successor, although the profile of the new coach is beginning to be defined. The club want to exhaust all their options to win the league and then begin to negotiate. After the Copa del Rey final there will be a new coach, but everything will be in place sooner.
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