Valverde set for Barca sack, Martinez lined up as shock replacement

Cape Town - La Liga champions Barcelona are set to sack head coach Ernesto Valverde on Tuesday with former Everton manager Roberto Martinez in line as a shock replacement.

According to Catalan radio station RAC1, the Spanish coach is under growing pressure following a series of embarrassing defeats as his side lifted a solitary La Liga title.

Valverde has led Barca to consecutive La Liga titles but failed to end the club's malaise in Europe, where they have not reached the final since 2015.

The Spanish giants also suffered a shock defeat 2-1 defeat to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday as they failed to secure a second domestic double.

Their collapse at the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League left Valverde's future uncertain, with some reports suggesting defeat in the cup final would see him sacked.

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez has been named as a surprise front-runner for the Barca job alongside Holland manager Ronald Koeman.