Barcelona have ruled out a move for Belgium boss Roberto Martinez in the unlikely event Ernesto Valverde is dismissed, write El Mundo Deportivo.
The report claims the club ‘are surprised by the amount of media noise generated’ that they will move for the former Wigan and Everton manager.
A report on Catalan radio station RAC1 on Monday night claimed the Spaniard was the prime candidate to replace Valverde at the Camp Nou.
However, a string of media reports have since denied that the current incumbent is set to leave his post and, in any case, Martinez would not have been a candidate to replace him.
The Spanish native led Belgium to a third-placed finish in last summer’s World Cup and is said to be highly regarded by several top clubs in La Liga.
Martinez has previously held management roles at Wigan Athletic and Everton in England, and has lost just three of his 35 games at the helm of the Belgian national side, winning 26.
There have been various reports that Valverde is under growing pressure at the Blaugrana following Saturday night’s Copa del Rey final defeat against Valencia.
It completed an underwhelming end to the season for the Catalan giants, who suffered a traumatic 4-0 Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Liverpool.
The manner of that exit was hugely disappointing for the club, coming just a year after being on the end of a similar comeback at the hands of Roma in the competition.
Valverde has guided Barcelona to back-to-back league titles across his two league titles in charge but has come under pressure for these European failures.
There have been suggestions that emergency meetings have been called at the club to discuss his future, but president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists the Coach has the club’s support.
