The reasons Barcelona appointed Ernesto Valverde as their new coach

The reasons Barcelona appointed Ernesto Valverde as their new coach

Robert Fernández escogió a Ernesto Valverde
Robert Fernández escogió a Ernesto Valverde | sport

Robert Fernandez has spoken about the appointment of Valverde

The two men are working together to improve the squad this summer

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has given an interview to Barcelona's official magazine. Among other things, he explains the reasons why Ernesto Valverde was chosen as Luis Enrique's successor. 

Robert Fernández also spoke about the arrival of Valverde in Barcelona last month and how they've started to prepare the new project. 

HERE'S AN EXTRACT OF THE INTERVIEW

-Why Valverde?

-Luis Enrique officially announced his departure on March 1, but we had already been forewarned some time before and were already looking for a replacement. Valverde’s name immediately came up. He knows the club after playing here; he has lots of experience, and most of all lots of knowledge. He’s done well at several other clubs and took Athletic Club into Europe four times in a row. This was the moment to bring him here.

-When you say knowledge... you mean football knowledge?

-Yes, football, but everything else, too. A Barcelona manager needs to comply with certain needs. It’s not just football he needs to be ready to be with the players every day, to deal with the media, to understand his role … It’s not just management, it’s a lot of other things, and if he can’t cope with those then we’ve got problems. But Ernesto is man with common sense, who has demonstrated how much he knows at other clubs and in other leagues.

-No one seems to have a bad word to say about him...

-Ernesto is a specialist in turning around bad situations. Barça is a club where there are often difficulties to overcome and we need someone who can deal with that. And we don’t just want to win. We want to win by playing well. That’s why this club is so special..

-Valverde has said he'll have to adapt to Barça's style...

-A lot of people like watching Barça even though they’re not really fans. We’re very proud of that because it’s to do with our style and way of understanding football. And Ernesto fits the bill.

-Barça give a lot of importance to new technoligies, is Ernesto a fit in that sense? 

-Valverde believes in new technologies like we do. That’s important because we use these instruments a lot. They provide the kind of information that you can’t see with your bare eyes, and it helps us to make the right decision..

-What are the main difficulties for a new manager?

A new manager obviously needs results, but more importantly he needs time. I’m sure the fans will give him the time he needs. I’m sure we have made the right choice.

-What about his personality?

-Valverde is very calm in the way he deals with problems. He’s a man of character, and I’m sure we’ll get to see some of that at times.

-How do you think the players will receive Ernesto Valverde?

I’m sure he’ll be welcomed with open arms. A new era is beginning but I don’t want to forget Luis Enrique, Juan Carlos, Robert, Pol, Joaquin and the others who are leaving. I wish them all the best because they have been three fantastic years and we’ll forever cherish the memories.

-He's only ever been sacked once, by Villarreal, in his career...

-And it is never easy to coach at Olympiacos, a big team that always expects to win, and he did well there. Villarreal is the only club that has ever sacked him, but I have inside information on what really went on there, there were some small differences of opinion. Ernesto is a very loyal man to his clubs, but the most important thing is he’s calm and knowledgeable. I’m sure he’ll do a great job for the club.

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