LaLiga: Ernesto Valverede...Is he the right man for coaching Barcelona?
Ernesto Valverede has been chosen by the Barcelona board to be the new manager. After Luis Enrique announced that he’ll leave his post after the season is over many names have been rumoured for the job. The fans were hoping for a big name and when Valverde’s name appeared to be the favourite they were very disappointed. Is he the right man for the job? Shouldn’t have Barcelona went for a big name? We have to remember that the big name is not always the right man for the job. Sometimes you need someone who has the Barcelona DNA to implement the club values and style of play. Ever since it was clear that he was the successor of Luis Enrique, people are debating whether he is going to succeed or not.
Valverde’s press conference took place on the 1st of June and he showed many positive signs. In his first press conference as the manager of Barcelona, he showed calmness although he had to deal with thirty-two different questions. He always showed discipline and that he could deal with the press, which is something Enrique lacked completely. As the manager of Barcelona, it is very important to have a good relationship with the press.
Valverde’s best trait is that he trusts the youth teams and uses them in many matches for the first team. The former Athletic Bilbao manager promoted Inaki Williams to the first team since the 2014/2015 season and he’s regular started until that day. Last season also he also promoted Yeray Alvarez who has been a regular started alongside Laporte in the defence. In the past nine years, Laporte promoted Thirty-four players from the youth team to the first team which is a huge number.
This is exactly what Barcelona has been lacking for the past few years; someone who would depend on La Masia and give them chances at the first team to prove themselves. There are some players who are ready to play for the first team like Sergi Palencia and Carles Alena but in the past years, we have seen that Enrique didn’t really depend on the youth. Valverde enjoys working with youth players and promoting them to the first team to help them compete and cement their place in the team.
One of the good things about Valverde too is that is the style of play is completely based on how Barcelona used to play. His pressing system was one of the best in La Liga last season. Valverde managed to press the opponent whenever his team didn’t have the ball in a very well organised way. His team also tends to have the ball more than the other team and likes to play with the ball at their feet. This kind of play has been declining for years at Barcelona and we started not using the midfielders as we used to back then.
Valverde relies on the midfielders to create chances and His team also tends to have the ball more than the other team and likes to play with the ball at their feet. This kind of play has been declining for years at Barcelona and we started not using the midfielders as we used to back then. Valverde relies on the midfielders to create chances and be the centre of the game which is something exciting given the world class players Barcelona have at the centre of the park. Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta will enjoy this style of play a lot and it could help them grow.
Is Valverde going to succeed? Time will tell but he looks promising. People don’t have anything against him except that he is not a well-known manager but let’s not forget that Guardiola started off by being the Barcelona C manager until he reached the first team and is now one of the best managers in the world. What matters is the style of play and how the manager can pass his style to the players. He also has experience in La Liga which makes it much easier for him because he knows the teams as well as the language. We should wait and see what Valverde has in mind for the team and stay positive because he previously showed what he’s capable of. The legendary Johan Cruyff also said that Valverde will be one of the smartest and best managers in Spain. When Cruyff says this then we should be at least excited to see what he’s got.
We should wait and see what Valverde has in mind for the team and stay positive because he previously showed what he’s capable of. The legendary Johan Cruyff also said that Valverde will be one of the smartest and best managers in Spain. When Cruyff says this then we should be at least excited to see what he’s got.
