Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted on Saturday that coach Ernesto Valverde is not to blame for his team's surprise Copa del Rey final defeat to Valencia, the Catalan's second cup shock in a matter of weeks.

After throwing away a three-goal lead against Liverpool in the Champions League, Barca's disappointing end to the season took another turn for the worse as they were beaten 2-1 in Seville. Denied a domestic double and a record fifth Copa del Rey triumph, the spotlight will again turn on Valverde and his future as Barcelona coach, but Bartomeu backed a coach also offered support on Friday by star player Lionel Messi. "I've always said that Ernesto has a contract for the next season, he's the coach.