Espanyol welcome back former coach Valverde

Posted Wednesday, January 17, 2018 by Marca.com

Ernesto Valverde has managed something that few coaches of Barcelona or Espanyol have been capable of, which is being loved by the opposition team's fans.

That's because he used to play for and coach Los Pericos and they will applaud him when he visits the RCDE Stadium on Wednesday evening, even if he now comes with their arch rivals.

He insisted in Tuesday's press conference that he is focussed on the task in hand, but there will be an emotional element to the evening.

Part of the reason for the affection persisting this long is that Valverde was with Espanyol for two European finals, going to Leverkusen as a player and to Glasgow as the coach.

His charm and professionalism have, understandably, also helped.

"I have very good memories of him," Espanyol member Antonio Lopez explains.

"That's what makes Barcelona so lucky right now, having him."Other supporters have echoed these sentiments.

"We always have to welcome Valverde back well, just like Andres Iniesta," explained another fan, Jose Maria Garcia.

"He has gone up in the world and I'm pleased that it's going well for him."

In fact, Valverde is so treasured by the club that his name is above one of the doors at the RCDE Stadium, one of 103 names - although five have yet to be assigned.

"He is one of the ex-Espanyol men who deserves to have a door named after him," says Vicente Palomar.

Once the whistle blows, though, Espanyol's fate will be in the hands of Valverde and his Barcelona team, and they know how talented a coach he is.

That's why one of the other common sentiments from Espanyol fans is one of pessimism, with few believing their side can win this two-legged tie.