Ernesto Valverde

Premier League: Pep Guardiola quashes talks of Manchester City signing Leo Messi, says he wants to see Argentine finish career at Camp Nou

Messi has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou at the end of the season after he caused a stir by criticising the club’s sporting director Eric Abidal over who was responsible for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde last month.

LaLiga: Lionel Messi criticises Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal for comments about players' work ethic

Abidal and Messi played together at Barcelona between 2007 and 2013, with the French defender returning to the club after retirement to become sporting director in June 2018

LaLiga: Barcelona manager Quique Setien admits there are quite a lot of things to correct post defeat at Valencia

Barcelona coach Quique Setien admitted he is struggling to get his ideas across to his players after the champions were beaten 2-0 to Valencia on Saturday.

LaLiga: Barcelona’s new coach Quique Setién off to winning start thanks to Lionel Messi's goal against Granada

Barcelona's all-time leading scorer finally broke down a stubborn Granada after the visitors were reduced to 10 men to secure a 1-0 win at Camp Nou on Sunday.

LaLiga: For Barcelona's new coach Quique Setién, all football knowledge comes from Catalan club's possession-based game

Setién inherits Valverde's team in first place at the halfway point of the Spanish league season, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference

LaLiga: League-leaders Barcelona sack coach Ernesto Valverde after Spanish Super Cup defeat, appoint Quique Setien

The tide appeared to turn against Valverde after a 2-2 draw at struggling Espanyol which was followed by a 3-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals

LaLiga: Barcelona appoint new coach Quique Setien; tasked with restoring Catalans' iconic passing style

Setien delivered an example of what his sides are capable of last season when Betis beat Barcelona 4-3 at Camp Nou — the first team in two years to triumph there and also the last side to do so.

LaLiga: Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta believes Spanish champions treating coach Ernesto Valverde unfairly

Barca approached Iniesta’s former team mate Xavi Hernandez to replace the under-pressure Valverde who they wanted to sack after defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final last week, reports in the Spanish media said.

LaLiga: Xavi declines Barcelona coaching offer, but Ernesto Valverde's position as head coach still unsafe, claim reports

Latest developments suggest that Xavi has put the plan on hold, at least for a season. As per reports, Al Sadd manager told Abidal and Grau on Sunday that the former midfielder was open to the possibility of joining the club next season but not right now.

La Liga: Xavi focussed on Al Sadd's Qatar Cup final, still undecided on taking up offer to coach Barcelona, says club source

The source said Xavi, coach of Qatari club Al Sadd, is focused on Friday’s Cup final against Al Duhail and has decided against accepting or declining Barca’s offer.