Barcelona confirm Ernesto Valverde will continue as boss despite Champions League embarrassment against Liverpool

BARCELONA have confirmed Ernesto Valverde will continue as boss - despite their Champions League embarrassment at the hands of Liverpool.

The Spanish giants have stormed to the La Liga title but have once again struggled to challenge in Europe.

They reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League but threw away a 3-0 first-leg lead to lose 4-3 at the hands of a rampant Reds XI.

Despite yet another failure, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted they are already planning for the future - and Valverde is in it.

Bartomeu said: “The planning for next season is already underway, and has been for some time.

”Some players have already signed and we’ll keep having talks after the [Copa del Rey] final.

”Valverde said the other day that he has the support of the president and the board. He’s the coach we want.

CUP FINAL TO COME

“We’re halfway through a large project. He has a contract and we’re very happy with him.

"Now it’s about how the players recover from the enormous setback.”

Barcelona still have won league game to play - against Eibar - before they go up against Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.

However, Bartomeu went on to say the result in the cup final will have no sway on their decision - with Valverde set to continue at the Nou Camp.

The news will be a huge relief for the boss, who revealed he was concerned at the prospect of being sacked after the Liverpool loss.

When asked if he was considering quitting Valverde claimed: “Well, no."

Speaking on the fans' boos days later back at the Nou Camp, the boss continued: “I expected that reaction. At first they whistled us a little, but, of course they would.

“When we’ve have a defeat like we’ve had, they have to let you know it."