Ernesto Valverde

Manager says ‘there is optimism from winning’ as 4-0 victory sees them rise to third in La Liga

Barca are top of La Liga and into the Champions League last 16, while they begin their tilt at the Copa del Rey

55-year-old Spanish manager is the first coach the club has sacked mid-season since Louis van Gaal in 2003

Former captain could yet resume negotiations in the coming days or in the summer once the current campaign is finished

Spanish media had earlier reported that the Catalans had asked former captain to take over from the Ernesto Valverde

Real's Karim Benzema has nine goals in his last eight games while Barca’s Lionel Messi has scored 14 in 12

Winner will pull three ahead of the loser, with one round Liga matches left before the two-week winter break

Catalans play Dortmund at home next and will hope progress is secured before their final game against Inter Milan

Valverde predicted a physical game against a team that "does the most running in the whole Champions League"

Together, the pair scored 76 goals for Barcelona last season