Ernesto Valverde thanked Barcelona fans and expressed gratitude at the opportunity to coach the Catalan giants.
Ernesto Valverde was let go as Barcelona manager and replaced by former Real Betis man, Quique Setien.
The now ex-manager penned a farewell letter addressing club supporters which was posted on the Barcelona website.
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Valverde wrote,
"Dear Barça fans,My time as FC Barcelona coach has come to an end. It has been an intense two and a half years right from the start.In that time I have enjoyed some joyful moments celebrating victories and trophies but also others that have been tough and difficult.However, above all I would like to highlight my experience with the fans and the affection showed towards me during my time as coach.”"
In his letter he also thank Josep Maria Bartomeu, the board, and everyone he got the opportunity to work with.
It is a fitting farewell for a man who showed nothing but professionalism during his time at the Camp Nou. A no-nonsense manager who went about his work discretely and was very straight-forward with the media. Sometime possibly to his detriment.
Given how things ultimately ended, it’s going to be easy to forget what he accomplished and the situation he inherited when he took over.
He came in when Neymar was sold and was at the helm when Real Madrid dominated the Blaugrana in the Spanish Super Cup. He managed to right the ship and ran away with the league in that first season losing only one game all season.
But he was also in charge for two of Barca’s worst Champions League defeats in club history against Roma and Liverpool.
The good outweighed the bad and a change had to be made. Still, Ernesto Valverde went about his work and focused on things he could control.
Despite what some supporters think of him, Valverde is probably the only one who came out of this debacle unscathed. The club did not cover themselves in any glory in how they handled his departure.
Ernesto Valverde left in the only way he knows. With dignity and respect and with gratitude to supporters who, at times, did not do the same.