Thread by @bghayward

Seven days have passed since Barcelona lost to Atlético in the Supercopa, a match which would turn out to be Ernesto Valverde’s last as coach of the Catalan club.

Some thoughts here on Valverde, Xavi, Quique Setién and a crazy week at Barça...

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First of all, Valverde had been on borrowed time for a while. Lots on here have been saying he should have resigned. I’m sorry, no coach thinks that way. It was down to the board to act in the summer. After Anfield and the Copa final, it was time...

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But, inexplicably, they did not. Valverde was backed and ever since, Barça have been going through the motions. Getting through games. Often doing just enough. Sometimes not even that. Poor performances on the road. Even at home.

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Lionel Messi, Marc-André ter Stegen and Luis Suárez probably kept Valverde in his job for longer than he should have had it. Draw at Dortmund was very lucky, as was win away to Slavia. At home to Inter, too. Individual brilliance saved the day...

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The Atleti defeat was, ironically, one of Barça’s better games this season. But without Ter Stegen in the role of saviour, FCB lost. And when you win games you should have lost, ultimately you’ll lose some you should win. That’s how things work...

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But it wasn’t just that game, nor the Saudis booing Valverde, that made the board act. Valverde had been under pressure since the Clásico in December. Real Madrid were better at Camp Nou and that had not happened in a long time. The board took note.

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One thing to add is EV was well liked and that probably kept him in job a while. Messi called him a "magnificent person"; Guillermo Amor said he was an "amazing guy"; Piqué called it "an honour" to work with him; Bartomeu said they were "friends".

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When it emerged last Friday that Barça were talking to Xavi, that was it. After that news leaked, Barcelona had no choice but to change coach, and when Xavi said no, suddenly FCB found themselves in a difficult situation.

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Xavi was not convinced. He has always said he wanted to be ready, but six months at Al Sadd is not enough. He was tempted, it’s his dream job, but having aligned with Victor Font, he may also have been reluctant to work with current board...

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So Bartomeu turned to Ronald Koeman, having hoped to hire him after Euro 2020. That was the plan. But the Dutchman was not ready to drop his prestigious post as Netherlands coach at the drop of a hat... and who can blame him?

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Mauricio Pochettino then emerged as the front-runner and despite his Espanyol ties, he was keen to listen to Barça. But he was not prepared to be rushed and FCB were in a hurry. So he said no and Barça turned to Quique Setién...

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In terms of style, Setién is potentially the best fit of all of them. And he was available. But he said it was a complete surprise to be contacted and offered the job, even though Bartomeu claimed they had spoken before...

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Setién’s Betis played beautiful football and it is extremely exciting to see what he can do at a club very much associated with the kind of football he adores. Johan Cruyff football.

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The 61-year-old is a fan of Messi and Busquets. He has signed shirts from both. He will want to build the team around them, but he will also want intense pressing. And those two are not really capable of that. Nor is Suárez.

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Suárez is out for most of the rest of the season and that could be a blessing in disguise. Setién will be able to look elsewhere and his policy of picking young players is already exciting Barça fans. Replacing Luis won't be that easy, though...

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In theory, Setién should be under no pressure to deliver trophies this season. But, unlike Zidane in 2016 at RM, he takes over a team on top of table (albeit on goal difference). If he were to lose La Liga, that should not matter, but it might...

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Ultimately, it should be about building a new style and a new team. Defensively, though, there are concerns. Some seem to think that FCB will be successful simply because he brings the Barça style of play. But it’s not that straightforward...

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This is an ageing team and an overhaul is also needed. That means making the right signings, something which has not happened over the past few years. Impression is that Rosell, and later Bartomeu, did not care too much about the style. Even now?

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If your targets are Xavi, then Koeman, then Pochettino and finally Setién, what is really the plan? And also, the players are well aware that Quique was not first choice. Not ideal. Barça's board haven't handled this well...

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Style is one thing, but managing egos is another altogether. Quique has gone from the cows in his village to the sacred cows in the Barça dressing room. Will they take to him? Or will it be a situation like Benítez at Real Madrid? Time will tell.

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For Barça fans, and for neutrals, it is exciting. Those players, with that coach. It will be wonderful to watch. At very least, fans should start enjoying football again. Ultimately, though, Setién will be judged on results like all coaches.

Fin.

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