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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Hassan Rashed

Barcelona make decision over Ernesto Valverde's future after Liverpool humbling

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists that Ernesto Valverde will remain as the club's manager for next season.

The Spanish giants have already secured their second La Liga title in as many years and are on course for a domestic double, with a Copa del Rey final still to come.

Despite their success on home soil, Barcelona have struggled in Europe and haven't reached a Champions League final since they won the competition for the fifth time in 2015.

And Valverde has overseen disappointing exits in both his seasons in charge at the Nou Camp, losing to Roma in the quarter-finals of last season's tournament before being beaten by Liverpool in this year's semi-finals.

On both occasions, the Catalan giants squandered big first-leg advantages with Liverpool overturning a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate and book a meeting with Premier League rivals Tottenham in the Madrid showpiece.

Ernesto Valverde has led Barcelona to back-to-back La Liga titles (AFP/Getty Images)

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Barcelona's most recent European disappointment prompted suggestions that the club might move on from Valverde this summer, but Bartomeu has given the 55-year-old his full backing.

“He is the coach we want, he is under contract and we are very happy with him," he told the club's website .

“Planning for next season has been under way for some time. Some players have already been signed and we’ll talk further after the Copa del Rey final.

“Our main objective is La Liga and, after that, we want the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Barcelona will face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final (Catherine Ivill)

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Barcelona finish their league season with a trip to Eibar on Sunday before they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on May 25.

If the Catalan side win, it will see them lift the trophy for the fifth straight year.

“We won La Liga with some games in hand. We all want more." Bartomeu added.

“Now the Copa del Rey final is coming and we’re coming off a painful loss.

“It’s time to pick our heads up, to get excited and to get motivated to compete.”

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