Valverde quits Bilbao

Ernesto Valverde resigned from Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday with the hope of taking over at Barcelona next season, a goal Spanish media take as a given.

"Ernesto Valverde will not continue as manager of the premier team of Athletic Club in the 2017/18 season," the Basque club said in a statement.

Valverde, who played for Barcelona between 1988 and 1990, will face the press along with club president Josu Urrutia on Wednesday.

Valverde, 53, has been Athletic coach for four seasons, bagging one trophy during his mandate -- the Supercup after victory over Barca in 2015.

Spanish media reports that Valverde should be named as successor to outgoing Barcelona coach Luis Enrique on Monday and he hinted at that in a statement.

"My next adventure has to be difficult," he claimed. "I haven't reached an agreement with any one club yet, but I do have an offer from an important club.

"I have had a lot of doubts, but my work here is done. I think my decision is for the best for everybody."

"I don't know what is being published, but I am responsible for my own honesty," he concluded. "Regarding Barcelona's supposed interest, I don't talk about teams that aren't my own and won't start doing so now."

"There is someone looking for an apartment for me in Rome, another who is looking for me a school in Barcelona..." he joked of the media reports linking him to a new job.