The writing is on the wall…Valverde is on the verge of leaving Barcelona.
He had played all his cards to keep his job…but it looks like not even a miracle can save him now.
Unless that miracle goes by the name of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Valverde, who took charge at the Nou Camp in 2017, faces the ax after Saturday’s Copa del Rey final defeat to Valencia.
Despite guiding Barcelona to La Liga success, the 55-year-old’s failure to land the Champions League and the domestic cup have put him in the firing line.
Reports in Catalunya suggest Valverde will be binned today.
But, according to Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, Messi could save the head coach’s skin by speaking out in favour.
Speaking on El Chiringuito de Jugones, Inda said: “The only thing that could save Valverde is for Messi to send a strong message stating the continuity of the coach, if Messi says that, he can save himself, before saying it softly, but he does say it forcefully.”
Barcelona was on course for the treble after a 3-0 victory against Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
A second-leg meltdown at Anfield, however, saw them dumped out of the competition in humiliating fashion for the second season in a row.
Beating Valencia in the Copa del Rey would have waylaid any doubts over Valverde’s future but the 2-1 defeat has seen fans turn.