Confirmation from the club is expected this evening: after days of speculation, FC Barcelona has fired Ernesto Valverde as its first-team coach. The manager's reputation had suffered heavily over his team's 3-2 elimination from Spain's Supercopa last week at the hands of Atlético de Madrid. His great backer, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, has finally lost his patience and "Txingurri" is out. Quique Setién is expected to be his replacement.
Valverde leaves Barça two and a half years after returning to the club as manager. He's since won two Ligas, a Copa del Rey and a Supercopa but has still become the first coach fired by Barça mid-season since Louis Van Gall in 2003.
Photo: EFE