Spanish Papers Slam Barcelona For Dismissal Of Ernesto Valverde

The Spanish newspapers have slammed Barcelona for how the club handled the sacking of Ernesto Valverde.

Valverde was finally dismissed as manager at the Nou Camp on Monday evening but prior to that there was a very public pursuit of former captain Xavi.

Xavi turned down the job as he did not feel he should take it in the middle of the season. The fact it was so well known that the legendary Barca midfielder had been approached about the job meant it was impossible for Valverde to continue.

And newspaper Marca were unimpressed with how Barcelona handled the entire process, laying into president Josep Maria Bartomeu. The headline read: ‘Bartomeu makes the termination of Valverde a great hope… (it is) impossible to do worse’

Meanwhile, AS referred to new appointment Quique Setien as ‘the fire extinguisher’ in their headline, The new boss was called ‘the fire extinguisher’, implying that the club is burning, and pointed out it had taken four chaotic days to sack Valverde.

They also highlighted the fact that former Real Betis manager Setien would be in the mould of legendary manager Johan Cruyff.

Mundo Deportivo included photos of Valverde waving goodbye while leaving the training ground in his car after Monday morning’s session.

They also suggested that Xavi had recommended they appoint Setien when he decided not to take on the role himself.

Local paper Sport went with the headline ‘Quique Setien signed!’.

Barcelona are top of La Liga despite sacking Valverde and take on Granada in Setien’s first game in charge on Sunday.