Football
ESPN staff 7y

Barcelona set date to announce new coach after Copa del Rey

Barcelona will name its new coach on May 29, two days after the Copa del Rey final, president Josep Bartomeu confirmed on Sunday after the club's title chase came up short.

Reports in the Barcelona media last week said the club have already agreed a two-year deal with Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde. 

Luis Enrique said in March he will be leaving the club after the season, and Bartomeu confirmed the timeline for announcing his replacement.

"We thank Luis Enrique for the effort he has put in the demands he placed on himself. The door is open. Now we have the Copa," Bartomeu said.

"On May 29, we have a board meeting and we will announce the name of the new coach after."

Asked about Valverde, Bartomeu only said: ""He is a coach who is out of contract in the summer."

Real Madrid finished atop the table in La Liga, three points above second-placed Barcelona, who will still contest the cup final against Alaves on Saturday.

"Obviously we congratulate the champions and our players for the season they have put in," the president said.

Bartomeu also said he was not concerned with the contract situation of star Lionel Messi, whose current deal is set to expire after next season.

"There is no doubt that the marriage between Barcelona and Messi will continue," he said.

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