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"You think I am going to sit at a table with Rajoy and Puigdemont?"

Valverde was asked how he would manage relations between Spain and Catalonia

The Barça coach said that he would prefer to keep his opinion to himself

Valverde se prepara para su regreso a San Mamés / | sport
Ivan San Antonio

On Friday, Catalonia proclaimed itself the Republic of Catalonia after a vote in parliament and it was a subject which Ernesto Valverde was asked about. 

However, the Barça coach preferred to focus on his role at the club and opted not to play politician.

"I can't deny that I am following the situation -- like everyone else -- and that I have a personal opinion, but I would rather focus on sporting issues," he said.

"What I say doesn't mean anything. There are so many changes at the moment in the current political climate that I don't know how it will end -- it can change every half an hour.

"Today's a day with so many things happening and changing (...) In my case, right now I am the coach of FC Barcelona and my job is to make sure the team to win and I am sure the politicians are trying to do the best job they can, too." 

Valverde wouldn't even ask what he would say if he was given the chance to mediate between Catalan leader Puigdemont and Spain's prime minister Rajoy.

 

"What would I say to them," he said? "You think that I am going to be sat down at a table with them...!?"