The appearance of Ernesto Valverde was expected with expectation after the ‘Barçagate’ burst. He was the coach of Barcelona in the 2017-18 season, the last in which payments were made to Enríquez Negreira from the Barça club when he held the position of vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees. But, at AS’s question, the current Athletic coach has hit a dribble in the run-up to tomorrow’s visit to Atlético: “I had no idea about all that, it catches us a bit far away, well it catches me, and it will become clearer. We don’t have all the data, we have to be cautious, let’s see where all this goes. It was also a surprise for me”.
He was insisted on what was the system they had to receive the reports at Barça. “I don’t remember reports from the referees, It is something common: the statistics that the referee who touches you has… some appreciation that they give us, in the last games how we have done, if they draw more cards, reports that reach Aspiazu (his second). In Barcelona I didn’t even look at them, and I didn’t even know they existed”. A statement that further fuels the controversy: Enríquez Negreira was allegedly paid for a service that the coach, at least in 2017, barely gave relevance to.
Regarding the renewal, sealed yesterday, which will take him to cover eight seasons as Athletic coach, more than anyone else, he was clear: “It is a declaration of intent, that the club is happy with what I do and I am here tooLet’s see if with that stability we can move forward this season and the next as well”. The entity proposed to continue at Christmas. “We agree to continue, there is no problem for me. I have felt very respected since day one as a player and coach.” On whether this firm can unravel the negotiation processes with Iñigo, Nico Williams and Sancet, he resolved: “I cannot speak for the others, only for myself, there are important players that we would all like to see continue.” Now he is focused on bringing down an Atlético who is fatal as Athletic coach, but not in other clubs, with the exception that a defeat against the colchoneros in the Super Cup meant his dismissal at Barça: “We must compete at a very high level, because Simeone’s teams are a hammer”.
