Barcelona extend contract of coach Ernesto Valverde

FC Barcelona confirmed on Friday morning that coach Ernesto Valverde will extend his contract for a further year until the end of June 2020 with the option for a further year until 2021.

The move ends speculation over the future of the 55-year-old, whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season.

Valverde who led Barca to a Liga Santander and Copa del Rey double in his first season at the club, has guided the club to lead the table with a six-point lead over Real Madrid this season, who they also face in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.

Besides, Barca have also reached the last 16 of the Champions League and will play Olympique Lyon in their first leg of that tie next week.

On announcing the decision to extend his contract, the Barca website explained that in 96 games under Valverde's guidance, the team has won 65, drawn 22 and lost 9, scoring 233 goals in the process.

Barca also enjoyed a run of 37 consecutive league games in which they had scored a goal, with the run ending last weekend in their 0-0 draw away to Valverde's former club, Athletic Club Bilbao.