Valverde dismisses deal to coach Barcelona

Posted May 24, 2017 7:00 am

By TALES AZZONI

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, Athletic Bilbao's head manager Ernesto Valverde waits for the start of a Europa League group F soccer match against Rapid Vienna in Vienna, Austria. Athletic Bilbao said on Wednesday May 24 that Valverde will not remain as the team's coach next season, clearing the way for his expected move to Barcelona. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File) The Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - Departing Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has been avoiding talk about a possible move to Barcelona, saying he has not entered into negotiations with any club.

Valverde did not confirm reports that he has already reached a deal to coach Barcelona next season, and did not dismiss taking a year off after four seasons at Athletic.

"I haven't committed to any club, I haven't talked to anybody," Valverde said. "I have an agent and there are teams that have shown interest in me. Now I have to decide whether I will take on a new adventure, and it would have to be a challenging one."

The 53-year-old Valverde has been widely touted to replace Luis Enrique, who announced earlier this year that he was tired and would not continue as Barcelona's coach.

The Catalan club ends its season after the Copa del Rey final against Alaves on Saturday.

The Mundo Deportivo newspaper reported this week that Valverde has already reached a two-year deal with Barcelona, with an option for a third season. The newspaper said the announcement would be made next week.

"I don't know what's been published," Valverde said. "I never talk about negotiations with clubs and that won't change. This wouldn't be the first time that I have offers from important clubs."

He said there was still the possibility of taking some time off and not immediately taking over another club.

"Why not?" he said. "In the end I can do whatever I want, no?"

A former forward, Valverde played two seasons with Barcelona in the late 1980s. He spent six years with Athletic from 1990-96.

Valverde didn't hide that he will be hoping Barcelona wins the Copa del Rey title this weekend, which would guarantee Athletic a spot in the Europa League next season. Athletic finished seventh in the Spanish league, but will play in the second-tier European competition with a Barcelona victory because the Catalan club will play in the Champions League. Only the teams in fifth and sixth places automatically qualify for the Europa League.

Valverde led Athletic to victory over Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in 2015, which marked the team's first title in more than three decades. He also coached the club from 2003-05.

Valverde has also coached Espanyol, Olympiakos, Villarreal and Valencia.

Athletic said that Jose Angel "Cuco" Ziganda, who was coaching its "B'' team, will take over the first-team squad for the next two years.

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Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

FILE - In this March 18, 2017 file photo, Athletic Bilbao's head manager Ernesto Valverde, center right and Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane greet each other before the start of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, at San Mames stadium, in Bilbao, northern Spain. Athletic Bilbao said on Wednesday May 24 that Valverde will not remain as the team's coach next season, clearing the way for his expected move to Barcelona. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug.17, 2015 file photo, Athletic Bilbao's head coach Ernesto Valverde and Barcelona's head coach Luis Enrique, left, follow the action from the sidelines during a second leg Spanish Super Cup soccer match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Athletic Bilbao said on Wednesday May 24, 2017 that Valverde will not remain as the team's coach next season, clearing the way for his expected move to Barcelona. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File) The Associated Press

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