Taking a look at coaches who have excelled in European football this season

#2 Ernesto Valverde (FC Barcelona)

Valverde has brilliantly navigated the murky waters at Barca and the team is looking ominous

Quiet and unassuming with a face that never seems to smile, Valverde has proven to be an inspired choice as FC Barcelona manager and is on course to help Cules forget their dislike of the current Josep Bartomeu-led board and the dark last days of former manager Luis Enrique.

A wily tactician who is always looking for ways to improve his team, the former Athletic Bilbao manager has somehow managed to make Barca more solid defensively while losing none of the team’s famed attacking potency.

He has made better use of the squad and has done wonders in improving the performances of players like the much-vilified Andre Gomes, Paco Alcacer and Jordi Alba among others.

He has made full use of the squad and his rotation policy has done wonders for keeping players fresh and hungry which has been reflected in performances that have seen the Blaugrana 8 points clear of the opposition in La Liga as well as remaining unbeaten.

The performance of the team in the 3-0 demolition of arch-rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico and his handling of the fallout from the Neymar transfer saga has won him the respect and admiration of all at the Nou Camp and with him at the helm, Barca are now heavy favourites to replace Los Merengues as UEFA Champions League winners.