Valverde moves closer to Barca coach position

The possibility of Barca appointing Ernesto Valverde as Luis Enrique's replacement became clearer when Bilbao announced their decision to part ways with the 58-year-old coach.

"Valverde will not be the coach of Bilbao in the 2017-2018 season," Bilbao's announcement on the evening of May 23 said.

According to Goal, the departure from the Basque team is a step for Valverde to prepare for his debut in a new position at Barca. On May 29, Barca will announce the name of the new coach to replace Luis Enrique.

Valverde is an experienced coach in Spain. Photo: Reuters

Valverde is no stranger to Barca’s long-time fans. As a player, the 58-year-old coach played for the Nou Camp team from 1988 to 1990 and won two titles: the King’s Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup.

After leaving Barca, Valverde moved to Bilbao to play the final years of his career. This is also where he started his coaching career and started leading the A team from 2003.

After leading Espanyol to the 2007 UEFA Cup final, Valverde enjoyed a successful spell at Olympiakos, winning three Greek league titles. The 58-year-old then returned to Spain, coaching Valencia, Villarreal and then Bilbao.

In 2015, it was Valverde who ruined Barca's chance to win six titles when he led Bilbao to a 5-1 victory in the Spanish Super Cup.

According to VNE