Valverde quits as Espanyol coach

Ernesto Valverde resigned as coach of Spanish First Division side Espanyol on Monday just over a year after guiding them to the UEFA Cup final.

The 44-year-old ended his two year spell – he had another year to run on his contract – with Barcelona’s lesser known team citing the unhappy atmosphere at the club, who finished 12th in the title race this season.

“The atmosphere at the club is not great and so it is the best decision to leave, both for me and the club,” said Valverde, who was accompanied at the press conference by club president Daniel Sanchez Llibre.

Valverde, who said that he had experienced two wonderful years with the club, replaced Miguel Angel Lotina in May 2006 and took the side to the 2007 UEFA Cup final where they lost on penalties to Spanish rivals Sevilla after the match finished 2-2.