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FC Barcelona’s head coach search – Ernesto Valverde and Juan Carlos Unzue

By Chiranjib Ghosh

BILBAO, SPAIN - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of Athletic Club reacts during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and SD Eibar at San Mames Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of Athletic Club reacts during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and SD Eibar at San Mames Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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Ernesto Valverde’s future at Athletic Bilbao looking bleak as Barcelona close in on him

BILBAO, SPAIN – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of Athletic Club reacts during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and SD Eibar at San Mames Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of Athletic Club reacts during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and SD Eibar at San Mames Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

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According to ESPN FC, Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde’s future is turning increasingly uncertain. Barcelona fans see him as one of the favourites to take over from Luis Enrique at the end of the season. That might be one of the reasons for this.

"Athletic Club de Bilbao president Josu Urrutia spoke to the club’s website regarding this issue. He said, “I cannot anticipate what will happen. Valverde is in his fourth year with us.“At around this time last season, he signed a contract extension. We will have to have a chat with him to see how he feels and whether he is the best coach for us next season or not.”“That conversation needs to take place as it has occurred in previous years and we will see what happens.”“Right now Ernesto is focused on ensuring that the team performs to this [high] level and so are we.”“Once we have clear if Ernesto is the right person for next season, that he also sees himself with energy to continue, we will make that public.”"

This is sure to make many people happy as tension between Valverde and the Athletic board can allow Robert Fernandez to intervene and have him on board.

Juan Carlos Unzue is the personal pick of Luis Enrique for his succession

Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique (L) chats with Barcelona’s second coach Juan Carlos Unzue during a training session at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique (L) chats with Barcelona’s second coach Juan Carlos Unzue during a training session at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Unzue has been the confidant of Luis Enrique ever since he joined as manager. He is a personal favourite of Lucho and is familiar with Barcelona’s traditional tactics.

He is an expert at set-pieces, being a former goalkeeper. Unzue is also on good terms with the stars at the Camp Nou, having communicated Lucho’s instructions to them in matches.

Unzue might not have a lot of experience taking decisions and managing players, but he has had a taste of managing Barca. Luis Enrique had given him the role of manager for a Copa del Rey game against Hercules.

If the club wants to continue the work Lucho has done over these three seasons, Juan Carlos Unzue would be the man to hire. While Jorge Sampaoli or Ernesto Valverde would change the outlook of the team, Unzue would continue the side’s style of play. According to Sport, Lucho wants Unzue to succeed him at the helm.

Next: Barcelona seek Bosman deal for Isco?

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