Saturday 11 May 2019 18:37, UK
Ernesto Valverde insists he has the backing of the Barcelona president despite overseeing a second disastrous exit from the Champions League in as many seasons.
Barca were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, which saw them exit the competition despite winning the first leg 3-0.
That followed last season's capitulation at the hands of Roma in the quarter-finals, who beat Barca 3-0 in the second leg despite losing the first match 4-1 at the Nou Camp.
However, Valverde says Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu still has faith in him, explaining: "I feel strong, I'm OK and I'm looking forward to taking a step forward. I'm not going to hide behind a wall.
"I've spoken to the president and I have always felt supported by him and he has given me his absolute backing. When something like this happens it seems like everything is falling apart but we know what this world is like.
"Everyone thinks you should burn everything to the ground at moments like this but you have to put things back in their place."
Barca host Getafe on Sunday in their final home game of the season, and it will be the first since the collapse at Anfield.
Despite that loss, Valverde has urged the fans to get behind his team, saying: "The fans can demonstrate however they wish to, but whenever you have a disaster like this it's an opportunity for everyone.
"We are all affected by this huge setback but this is our last home game and I see it as a chance to help the team to rise again.
"We should also try and avoid fighting amongst ourselves, which is what our enemies want us to do."
Despite Barca's questionable performances in Europe since Valverde's appointment in 2017, he has a formidable record in domestic competitions.
The Spaniard has won successive La Liga titles since arriving from Athletic Bilbao, and has the opportunity to win his second Copa del Rey in a row when Barca take on Valencia in the final on May 25.
