Barcelona Appoints Quique Setien as the New Coach, Replacing Ernesto Valverde

DBasia.news –   Tuesday (01/14/2020), Barcelona officially appointed former Real Betis boss Quique Setien as their new coach on a 2.5-year contract to replace the sacked Ernesto Valverde.

The aroma of dismissal of Ernesto Valverde has indeed been smelled since the beginning of this season. Although Barca are at the top of the LaLiga standings, but some of the defeats they experienced gave rise to a strong signal that Valverde will be fired.

Moreover, Valverde failed to bring Barca achievers at the European level. The 55-year coach only brought Lionel Messi and his friends to win domestic competitions such as LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The climax, the defeat of Barca against Atletico Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup this year is a big sin. Barca who excels from the player’s material defeat 3-2.

“The agreement between Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde to end the manager’s contract with the first team. Thank you for everything, Ernesto. We wish you luck in the future,” explained Barcelona.

Then, Barca immediately appointed Quique Setien as Valverde’s replacement. The coach signed a two and a half-season contract.

“Quique Setien, 61, will be Barcelona’s new coach. Throughout his career, he has supported attacking football which is attractive to fans,” explained Barcelona.

In fact, in Setien’s journey as a coach, he had never coached a big club. In addition to Real Betis, Setien has been the leader of Las Palmas, Lugo, Logrones, Poly Ejido, Equat Guinea, and Racing Santander. The coach’s cupboard is empty.

“Quique Setien is one of the experienced coaches in Spanish football. The coach from Santander began his managerial career at his hometown club, Racing Santander,” continued Barca.

Apart from Setien, Barcelona had been linked with several coaches such as Xavi Hernandez and Mauricio Pochettino.