Let’s be honest, when news started filtering through that Barcelona needed a new manager the other night, nobody *really* believed that Arsene Wenger would be the name on top of the Spanish club’s list.
Luis Enrique made it known on Wednesday that he wouldn’t be continuing at the helm at the Nou Camp beyond the end of this season. This, coupled with the growing sense that the Arsenal boss may be weeks away from ending his stay in north London, prompted a flurry of excited tweets suggesting that the 67-year-old could be the man to take over the Spanish champions.
But seriously. It was never going to happen, was it?
According to Guillem Balague, Barca will indeed overlook Wenger (and Ronald Koeman, for that matter) and have already identified their top target.
Writing for Sky Sports, Balague claims that Barca have made Ernesto Valverde, currently manager of Atheltic Bilbao, their top priority.
‘Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde, whose contract at the San Mames Stadium expires at the end of the season, is the top priority.
‘Even ahead of [Sevilla manager] Jorge Sampaoli. Those are the two big favourites.
‘He [Valverde] has said no to the job twice. To say no a third time would be very difficult and with his contract up at the end of the season the timing is good too.
Valverde used to play for Barcelona, something that Balague claims is a factor in them making their decision.
‘They would like, first of all, someone who knows the club well and ideally who has played at Barcelona and understands the club well.”
Perhaps Arsene will stay on a bit longer?
Catch up with the latest episode of 888Sport Football Friday Live
