Report: Ernesto Valverde on brink of Barcelona sack

Barcelona have drawn up a three-man shortlist of possible options to replace under-fire boss Ernesto Valverde, according to a report.

Valverde's future at Camp Nou is in doubt following Wednesday's shock Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool, losing 4-0 in the semi-final second leg at Anfield to crash out 4-3 on aggregate.

Barca chucked away a hefty first-leg advantage for the second year running, having been dumped out with a 3-0 loss to Roma in last season's quarter-finals.

The Catalan giants have already wrapped up back-to-back La Liga titles and are on course to retain the Copa del Rey, but Fox Sports claims that Barca chiefs are ready to sack Valverde following their latest European disappointment.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu is said to have targeted three candidates to succeed the 55-year-old, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, ex-Paris Saint-Germain chief Laurent Blanc and Quique Setien of Real Betis all under consideration.