Ernesto Valverde 'still has backing of Barcelona board'

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde reportedly still has the support of the club's board despite a mixed start to the 2019-20 season.

Despite claiming consecutive league titles at Camp Nou, the manager has picked up heavy criticism for the nature of some performances since the start of the season.

The club suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Levante over the weekend ahead of being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday.

According to ESPN, however, Barcelona's board are not thinking about removing Valverde anytime soon.

That said, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who is not known to make rash managerial decisions, is concerned by the club's recent spell of form and will reconsider Valverde's position if results fail to improve.

Reports have claimed that Ronald Koeman, current manager of the Netherlands, is being lined up as Valverde's replacement.