SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 12 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
GL
La Liga | Gameweek 18
Jan 6, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
BL

1-2

Mata (43')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Messi (20'), Suarez (39')

Valverde says Barcelona talks on his future will wait until summer

:Headline: Valverde says Barcelona talks on his future will wait until summer: ID:346030: from db_amp
Valverde wants to focus on the football.

Ernesto Valverde has admitted his future at Barcelona will be decided at the end of the season ahead of his side's match against Getafe on Sunday.

The Catalan giants will be be looking to pick up where they left off following their winter break, having won their last four La Liga games.

They resume their campaign with a trip to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, but the future of Valverde has hogged the headlines in the build-up to a potentially tricky game against their seventh-placed hosts.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is concentrating on football and not his future (Adam Davy/PA)

Speaking to the club's in-house TV channel, Valverde said: "In football you never know what will happen. The contract has an optional year and at the end of the season we will decide. We have not even reached the middle of the season."

Since taking over at the Nou Camp in 2017, Valverde has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana. He is on course for a second successive league title, with Barcelona three points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, while arch-rivals Real Madrid are a further four points behind, in fourth.

Valverde's current contract runs until 2020, but it is thought that the club's hierarchy are keen for him to commit to the club by next month. There is already widespread talk over who might succeed the Spaniard should he leave, with former Barca playmaker Xavi among the frontrunners.

For now, Valverde is keen to keep focus on the game in hand. The former Athletic Bilbao boss has already named his 19-man squad to travel to Getafe, with Malcom and Sergi Roberto passing late fitness tests. Rafinha, Sergi Samper, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen are still injured, whilst Munir has been left out.

For the home side, head coach Jose Bordalas will be hoping to upset the odds as his side look to improve on last year's eighth-place finish. Getafe went into the winter break in great form themselves, and are without defeat since November 10.

Bordalas was quick to acknowledge the threats that Barca possess, however, including La Liga top scorer Lionel Messi.

He said: "They're at their best during the season, with four consecutive victories, zero goals allowed. I'm worried about the collective and then Messi, who is their best player."

Barcelona have not been beaten by Getafe since 2011, but amid the speculation over their head coach's future, an away win may not be a foregone conclusion. Certainly, Valverde has identified the threats they pose.

He said: "Getafe are a tough side who create intense pressure and are convincing. They're battling for a spot in Europe and will be a difficult opponent."

amp_article__346030 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-05 17:02:05:
html db last update - 2019-01-05 17:02:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ernesto Valverde

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
Read more about Ernesto Valverde Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .