In similar fashion to those at Manchester United and Real Madrid, it’s rare for a Barcelona manager to win everyone over, and Ernesto Valverde is no different.
Despite winning La Liga last year, as well as the Copa del Rey, and leading the league this season, the Spanish manager is still on the end of rumours claiming the club are looking for his successor.
Admittedly, these come from El Chiringuito, who are hardly the most trustworthy source, yet Sport deemed it important enough to pick up on Monday, even if they call it ‘surreal’.
The claim comes from journalist/FIFA agent(?) Jota Jordi, who states that Barcelona are looking at Thierry Henry, who is looking to give management a go, and was most recently close to taking over at Bordeaux.
Still Roberto Martinez’s assistant with Belgium, the former Arsenal striker gave up his Sky Sports pundit role to focus on his managerial career, yet few, if any, would’ve thought of him immediately being the potential next manager of the Catalan club.
The reason for the French man’s name being ‘heard’ around the La Liga leaders, according to Jordi, is due to alleged doubts creeping in the dressing room about Valverde, and if that is the case, it’s the board’s ‘obligation’ to find a potential replacement.
Having played there as a player, Henry knows all about Barcelona and their DNA, and the fact he’s really good friends with Eric Abidal also helps.
Frankly, we’ll believe it when we see it, and since we doubt we’ll see it, we’re not going to believe it.
