JUST IN: BARCA SACK VALDES AS YOUTH TEAM COACH AFTER FURIOUS ROW WITH KLUIVERT

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Barcelona have axed academy coach Victor Valdes after he reportedly had a furious row with former Holland striker Patrick Kluivert.

Franc Artiga has replaced former Barca goalkeeper Valdes, who had only taken over as the Under-19 coach this year after a season at Moratalaz.

Valdes was prevented from taking charge of the youth team at the weekend as Nou Camp chiefs looked into his position following the spat with former Barca legend Kluivert.

The former Ajax striker became Director of Youth Football in the summer in a big shake-up at the Nou Camp.

According to Catalunya Radio, the pair have been at loggerheads since then.

But last week, the row hit boiling point.

In a statement published on the Barcelona website, the club said: “Victor Valdes, coach of Juvenil A, will not travel to the game, which will be played against Gimnastic de Tarragona at the Municipal Camp de la Pobla de Mafumet.”

Former Spain No1 Valdes, 37, won six La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns at Barca, having come through the ranks.
The former Manchester United stopper only returned to the club in July but Kluivert’s seniority meant Valdes had to go as the war of words continued.

Kluivert was at the Nou Camp from 1998 to 2004, winning the La Liga title in 1999.

They were team-mates in 2002, before Kluivert joined Newcastle.