Valverde sends goodbye letter to fans after sacking

Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

The coach admits it’s been ‘intense’ at the Camp Nou

Ernesto Valverde has written a letter to Barcelona fans after being dismissed as manager of the club on Monday.

The 55-year-old has been dismissed after two-and-a-half-years at the club which brought two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey.

Yet his time at the club will also be remembered for some traumatic Champions League exits, and he admits he’s experienced intense highs and lows at the Camp Nou.

“My time as FC Barcelona coach has come to an end. It has been an intense two and a half years right from the start. In that time I have enjoyed some joyful moments celebrating victories and trophies but also others that have been tough and difficult. However, above all I would like to highlight my experience with the fans and the affection showed towards me during my time as coach.

“I would like to thank the president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to coach the first team and their confidence during all this time. I would also like to thank all the people I have worked with at the Club for their support and how they treated me during the two and a half seasons, especially those who work in and around the first team and with whom I have shared so many moments at the Ciutat Esportiva and during away trips. Of course, I would like to thank the players for all their efforts that have allowed us to claim four trophies together. From this day, I wish them all the luck in the world and to the new coach Quique Setién also.”

Source | FC Barcelona

Valverde returned to Barcelona on Tuesday to say goodbyes to the players who have a double training session.

New boss Quique Setien will oversee both sessions and will fit in a contract signing and a press conference in between on a busy first day in the job for the 61-year-old.

Source: barcablaugranes.com