Ronald Koeman is reportedly set to replace Quique Setien as the next Barcelona manager following today’s board meeting.
Setien is almost certainly on his way out following a poor seven-month spell. Last week’s 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich was the tip of the iceberg, with Barcelona expected to recruit a new manager.
The club board held a four-hour meeting on Monday to discuss long-term plans after the finishing trophyless for the first time since 2007/08. While no official announcement has been made yet, Koeman appears to be in the hot seat.
The Netherlands boss was spotted at Barcelona airport on Sunday but made no comment over his visit.
According to well-respected journalist Fabrizio Romano, though, Koeman has indeed got the job and confirmation should be made this week.
"Barcelona is going to start a new project."@FabrizioRomano thinks Ronald Koeman won't be the only change for Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/iEDGkgIqG8
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 17, 2020
Koeman, who starred for Barcelona in a six-year spell as a player and later worked as an assistant coach at Camp Nou, is widely believed to be the next best option after Xavi Hernandez committed to Al Sadd for another year.
It’s understood Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is in favor of his appointment. Although some board members were keen on Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta, who has coached the B team for the last two years.
Adding fuel to fire was board member Lluis Fernandez Ala’s recent statement to Marca, where he revealed plans to promote Garcia Pimienta should he win in the club’s next presidential elections.
“We really like Garcia Pimienta,” said Fernandez Ala.
“We’re sure that he’ll be the new Pep Guardiola.
“Sometimes we have trouble trusting local players here, but our project is clear and that is to instill the basic values of La Masia once again.
“There won’t be any silverware if we don’t invest in our own youth players.
“A change is needed. We’re in a chaotic situation and facing a hat-trick of failures in an economic, sporting and social sense.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen that this can happen. Something has to be done and we’re looking to have an election immediately.”
Mauricio Pochettino, Thierry Henry, and Patrick Kluivert are three other names who could rival Koeman for the Barcelona job.
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