Victor Valdes has been sacked as Barcelona Under-19s coach after a bust-up with former team-mate and La Masia director, Patrick Kluivert.’

The 37-year-old Spaniard who made over 500 appearances for the club, was appointed the youth team coach in July, while Kluivert took over as head of La Masia academy but the pair endured a bitter relationship. 

Valdes’ departure was confirmed by on Monday afternoon (Oct. 7).

A Barca statement read: ‘FC Barcelona have informed Víctor Valdés on Monday that he is no longer U19A coach and no longer employed by the Club. Franc Artiga, up till now coach of the U19B and part of the youth set up at La Masia since 2010, will take over as coach of the U19A.’

According to a report by Mail Online, the pair played together at the Nou Camp from 2002 until 2004 fell out over a number of issues but the most significant is Valdes’ reluctance to adapt his formation to a rigid 4-4-2. 

It was also claimed that Valdes was also unhappy with Kluivert and the club’s decision-makers over being unable to use the Estadi Johan Cruyff as the Under-19s ground because the B team and women’s team play there.