Valverde wants Barcelona to win Copa del Rey final vs. Alaves
If Barça win, Athletic Club will reach the Europa League next season
Valverde is expected to be named Barça coach at the beginning of next week
Ernesto Valverde will be a Barcelona fan on Saturday when they play Alaves in the Copa del Rey final. It will be Luis Enrique's goodbye and everything suggests Valverde will replace him, although he wouldn't confirm as much in a press conference on Wednesday.
Valverde's relationship with Athletic goes much further than just having coached them twice, this second spell lasting four years, and as he pointed out in his final press conference at the club: "I am an Athletic socio."
On Saturday, Athletic 'play' at the Vicente Calderon without being presente. That's because if Barça beat Alaves, the Bilbao-based side will reach the Europa League for a fourth consecutive season.
But Valverde also has a special affection for Alves, because it was there where his family moved from Extremadura when he was young. And it was Alaves where he began to play football before signing for Sestao.
"They're going to kill me at home and my heart is divided, but on Saturday I will be supporting Barça," Valverde said. For the good of Athletic and who knows if he's already thinking in Blaugrana...
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