5 former players who currently manage their old club

#4 Ernesto Valverde - FC Barcelona

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde had a short period as a player at the Nou Camp in the 1980's.

Over the past decade or so, Barcelona have gained a reputation as a club that likes to promote from within when it comes to their bosses. Club legends Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique have both famously had stints in the hot seat at the Nou Camp and were massively successful, both of them winning the Champions League and Guardiola, in particular, is recognised as one of the best coaches in the world. Of course, they’ve never been strangers to putting former players in charge – the legendary Johan Cruyff was one of their most famous players and turned into one of their best managers too.

Currently in charge of Barca is former Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde, and despite the sale of key striker Neymar in the summer, it looks like he’s going to bring success to the Nou Camp – his side are currently top of La Liga, are five points clear and have yet to lose a game. And they’ve also qualified for the second round of the Champions League without a loss, winning their group at a canter.

When Valverde was appointed in the summer, it raised some eyebrows as he wasn’t a huge name – which is why it may come as a surprise to some that he’s actually a former Barca player!

Indeed, over a fourteen-year playing career – one that saw him gain one cap for Spain and spend the majority of his time at Athletic Bilbao – Valverde had a brief period of time in the famous red and blue shirt of Barcelona. Granted, it was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it job – Valverde signed for Barca for the 1988/89 season and remained there for 1989/90, but over those two seasons he only played in 22 games, although he did win the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup-Winners Cup during that time.

He’ll hardly be remembered as a playing legend, but if he can deliver the Champions League, then the same may not be said about his managerial time at the Nou Camp.