FC Barcelona sack boss Ernesto Valverde, name replacement

FC Barcelona announced on Monday that they have sacked Ernesto Valverde from the managerial role and named former Real Betis coach Quique Setien as his replacement.

Valverde led Barca to two successive La Liga titles and they are in the lead on goal difference in the ongoing season. Barca have struggled this season having already lost thrice in the league. Under his leadership, Barca have failed to reach the Champions League final as their previous final came during the 2014-15 season, where they defeated Juventus to lift their fifth trophy.

Barca's semi-final loss to Atletico Madrid in Super Copa has turned out to be the final match as in-charge for Valverde, who is leaving Nou Camp having managed Barca in 163 games.

Before leaving in May, Setien led Betis to their highest finish (No. 10) in La Liga since 2005 (No. 4) and the club also reached the semi-final of Copa del Rey.

The 61-year-old, who will be presented to the media on Tuesday, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The Catalan club released an official statement where they mentioned that the club has reached an agreement with Valverde to end his contract and thanked him for "his professionalism, his commitment, his dedication and his always positive treatment towards all that make up the Barca family."

"The club publicly expresses its gratitude to Ernesto Valverde for his professionalism, his commitment, his dedication and his always positive treatment towards all that make up the Barca family. We wish him luck and success in the future," Barca added in the statement.

They ended the statement with a picture of Valverde saying, "Thank you and Good luck!"