Exclusive: Coach Ernesto Valverde still has the backing of Barça players
The squad are still behind the coach despite another painful defeat
Barcelona suffered another disappointing defeat, this time in the Spanish Supercopa against Atletico Madrid, as they conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to bring back memories of the losses against Liverpool and Roma.
Those Champions League defeats cast doubt on coach Ernesto Valverde's future but he maintains the support of the Barca players after Thursday's loss to Atletico, SPORT have learned.
Before anyone had spoken after the defeat, Valverde had been singled out by Barca supporters. Many would like to see him lose his job.
Amid the calls for Josep Maria Bartomeu to sack him, though, the players came out and gave Valverde their backing in public. Lionel Messi said that have "confidence" in the coach and Luis Suarez said the defeat "wasn't his fault."
Messi and Suarez's comments echo the feeling among the Barça dressing room, SPORT have been told, with the players still happy for Valverde to remain in charge for the rest of the season.
Barça still have a lot to play for this season. They are top of La Liga and have reached the last 16 of the Champions League. They also enter the Copa del Rey later this month.
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