‘I don’t regret the decision to sack Valverde, we needed to give the team a boost’: Barcelona chief Josep Bartomeu insists Quique Setien’s job is safe despite losing pace with Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga
president Josep Bartomeu has said coach Quique Setien will remain in charge of the team next season despite the team’s fading title bid, adding that he does not regret sacking Ernesto Valverde in January.
Valverde led Barca to successive title wins and his team were top of the table on goal difference when he was dismissed in January and replaced by Setien, who has tried to revolutionise Barca’s play with mixed results.
Barca’s title bid has unravelled following draws with Sevilla, Celta Vigo and and they now trail leaders by four points with four games remaining.
Barcelona’s under-fire manager Quique Setien has received public backing from the club
Barcelona’s under-fire manager Quique Setien has received public backing from the club
Josep Bartomeu insists the manager’s job is safe despite his side losing pace in the title race
Josep Bartomeu insists the manager’s job is safe despite his side losing pace in the title race
But the team finally clicked in Sunday’s outstanding 4-1 win at Villarreal and Bartomeu said he thinks they are heading in the right direction.
‘Setien will obviously continue. At this moment I’m pretty happy with how the team has evolved and in the last couple of games we have seen the improvements Setien has made,’ Bartomeu told radio station on Tuesday.
‘I don’t regret the decision to sack Valverde, we needed to give the team a boost and Setien has brought new ideas and new sensations with him,’ he added.
Setien said he did not think his position had been under threat and was pleased with the football they have been playing. Continue reading