Valverde signs 1-year extension with Barcelona

Ernesto Valverde ended months of speculation over his managerial future, agreeing to a one-year contract extension with Barcelona until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The deal also includes an option for a further campaign.

Earlier this season, the 55-year-old Valverde expressed uncertainty over his future at Barcelona. He and the club had the option to terminate their relationship in June, but the decision was made Friday to continue together.

"By renewing Ernesto Valverde's contract, we are guaranteeing the continuation of a coach and person who so excellently represents the FC Barcelona values and our way of understanding football," club president Josep Maria Bartomeu wrote on Twitter. "We're sharing a winning project for Barca."

Barcelona are currently leading La Liga by six points and are in the Champions League knockout stages for the 15th consecutive year.

Valverde's won 67 percent of his matches since coming on as manager, and captured the league title and Copa del Rey in 2017-18.

The club nearly went undefeated in La Liga last season, but spoiled its chance at history with a 5-4 defeat to Levante on May 13.

Valverde has adopted several formations during his time in the Catalan capital, flipping between his own pragmatism and Barcelona's usual free-flowing football. He favored a 4-4-2 during his first year in charge, but reverted to the club's long-standing 4-3-3 this season.