Ernesto Valverde: 'I could take a sabbatical'

Athletic's head coach Ernesto Valverde gestures during the UEFA Europa League Group L football match between Partizan and Athletic Bilbao at the FK Partizan Stadium on October 22, 2015
© Getty Images
Spanish manager Ernesto Valverde, who has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona, suggests that he could take a sabbatical after leaving Athletic Bilbao.

Ernesto Valverde has suggested that he could take a sabbatical after leaving Athletic Bilbao.

It was announced on Tuesday that Valverde had stepped down as manager of Bilbao after four years with the Basque outfit.

The 53-year-old is currently the favourite to succeed Luis Enrique as head coach of Barcelona, but the Spaniard has hinted that he could yet decide to take a year out of club management.

"Why not [take a sabbatical]? It depends. Would I like to coach Barca? When I have an offer from a club, you will all know the answer," Valverde told reporters.

"I see that it has been published that I have signed for another team but this is because a number of things are published every day, and I have already told you all this is not the case."

Barcelona recently announced that they will name their new manager on May 29.

Barcelona's President Josep Maria Bartomeu gives a press conference at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 7, 2015
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2Athletic Bilbao00000000
3Atletico MadridAtletico00000000
4Barcelona00000000
5Celta Vigo00000000
6Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo00000000
7EibarEibar00000000
8Espanyol00000000
9Getafe00000000
10GironaGirona00000000
11Las PalmasLas Palmas00000000
12Leganes00000000
13Levante00000000
14Malaga00000000
15Real Betis00000000
16Real Madrid00000000
17Real Sociedad00000000
18Sevilla00000000
19Valencia00000000
20Villarreal00000000