Ernesto Valverde insisted offering to resign as Barcelona coach had not crossed his mind after seeing his side bounce back from their Champions League nightmare with victory over Getafe on Sunday.
Barca were knocked out of Europe in sensational fashion on Tuesday night when Liverpool overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit to win their semi-final 4-3 on aggregate.
That chastening defeat came after Barca were dumped out of last season’s Champions League in similar fashion by Roma, and questions have been raised about the long-term futures of Valverde and several senior players.
The coach is determined to fight on though, and when asked if he had considered stepping down he told reporters: “No, I haven’t thought about it.”
Valverde was speaking after Barca beat Getafe 2-0 at the Nou Camp in their final home match of the season.
Arturo Vidal’s first-half strike and a late own goal settled the contest as champions Barca moved 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga and regained some confidence ahead of the Copa del Rey final later this month.
Valverde said, as reported by the Spanish media: “It was really important for us to win today, to take a step forward.
“The game was a tricky one because they (Getafe) were playing for a place in the Champions League.
“We were OK at the start but as the game went on we got better and better and I think we did well in the second half.”
Philippe Coutinho suffered a hamstring injury in the victory and is expected to be sidelined for around 10 days.
That would rule the Brazil international, whose future at Barca is also the subject of speculation, out of the club’s last LaLiga match at Eibar next weekend but could see him fit for the Copa del Rey final against Valencia.
While Barca have little to play for at Eibar, Getafe have plenty riding on next weekend’s matches.
Their defeat at the Nou Camp saw them replaced in fourth spot by Valencia, who beat Alaves on Sunday, and saw their hopes of earning a maiden Champions League spot take a big hit.
Getafe now host Villarreal while Valencia go to Real Valladolid, with the club from the outskirts of Madrid needing to better Los Che’s result to pip them to fourth spot.
Valladolid secured their top-flight future on Sunday with a third win in four matches but Getafe coach Jose Bordalas hopes they can still do his side a favour next weekend.
He said in quotes reported by AS: “I believe in the honesty and professionalism of people. I don’t have to believe in anything else.
“I’m convinced that Valladolid will go out to win against Valencia.
“I have to congratulate my boys. We’re sure of a Europa League place and fighting for the Champions League.
“We have not yet said our last word and Valladolid will want to give a good image against Valencia.”
‘It was a mistake to become Manchester City boss – I should have taken six months off. It wasn’t a very nice club at the time, and I didn’t do a particularly good job’: Former Premier League manager reflects on making wrong career decision
‘Klopp would have known him more and wanted to sign him over Salah. A lot of bosses can’t be persuaded by analysis, it’s to Jurgen’s credit that he was’: Liverpool nearly missed out on signing Mo Salah in 2017 as Jurgen Klopp preferred a different player
