I noted the recent move by the Barcelona board with interest.
Putting pressure on Ernesto Valverde to commit himself to another year in the job, or not, by February was to be expected.
However, I’m left wondering if it was necessary to publicise their intentions to the media?
All it’s done has heightened any tensions surrounding Valverde’s tenure at a time when, frankly, the first team could do without it.
Distractions at any stage of the season are unwelcome, and more so when heading into the business end of a campaign.
We all expect that Barca will still be in the Copa del Rey by the end of the second month of the year, and we may have a good idea by that point too if we are to progress into the next stage of the Champions League.