Valverde Who Brought Barca To The Top But Still Fired

Ernesto Valverde (Twitter @FCBarcelona)

Jakarta - Rome, Liverpool and Jeddah determine Ernesto Valverde's fate in Barcelona. Apart from these three bad moments, the Spaniard will be remembered for his spectacular consistency in La Liga Santander.

Valverde left Barcelona when this team was top of the standings. The previous two seasons, he even led Lionel Messi et al to win two domestic titles.

In other words, being at the top for 2.5 years is an astonishing record. Moreover, La Liga is one of the leagues that have the highest pressure in the world.

Of the 95 matches Valverde coached, Barcelona are top of the standings in 81 of them. In terms of goals, Valverde's side have scored 238 (2.5 per game) and 88 conceded (0.92 per game) in La Liga Santander.

69.5% - Ernesto Valverde has won the 69.5% of his LaLiga games for @FCBarcelona (66 out of his 95 matches), the fifth most for a Barcelona's manager ever. Predestined pic.twitter.com/jwVoo9036G

- OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 13, 2020

5 - Liverpool against Barcelona tonight is the fifth time a team has lost the first leg of a knockout tie but progressed in the Champions League this season - more than in any previous season in the competition. Eclipse. #LIVBAR pic.twitter.com/CUoSPigU50

- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2019

His record in the Copa del Rey isn't bad either. Barcelona reached the final in both of its full seasons in charge. He won it in 2018 against Sevilla and lost in 2019 against Valencia.

It was in the Champions League that Valverde's fate slumped. Disgraceful defeats at Roma and Liverpool tarnished his reputation. The final blow came in Saudi Arabia when Barcelona threw away another advantage, this time in the semi-finals of the Supercopa de Espana against Atletico Madrid.

🎂 Happy birthday Kostas Manolas! The @OfficialASRoma defender turns 2⃣8⃣ today! 🇬🇷Celebrate with THAT goal vs Barcelona. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BU3BCVXCsV

- UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 14, 2019

Valverde left Camp Nou after leading 145 games as Barcelona boss, winning 97, drawing 32 and losing 16. He was replaced by Quique Setien, who has signed a contract until June 2022.

Agreement between FC Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde to end his contract as manager of the first team. Thank you for everything, Ernesto. Best of luck in the future. pic.twitter.com/zrIgB1sW2e

- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 13, 2020