Sky Sports pundit, Guillem Balague has claimed that Barcelona manager Quique Setien will be sacked on Monday and could be replaced by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.
Barcelona, who were dethroned as La Liga champions by Real Madrid were humiliated in an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich on Friday as they crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage in Lisbon.
Barca had replaced Setien with Ernesto Valverde in January. He has now failed to lead his side to a trophy in 2019-20. The last time Barca went trophy-less was 2013-2014.
Ronald Koeman is a popular choice
The Spanish journalists further stated that former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has “been approached”, Koeman player, who is an ex-Barca would be a more popular choice.
Speaking with BBC 5 Live Euro Leagues podcast, Balague said the board will meet tomorrow, and [Setien] will be sacked.
“They have to choose a manager because in two weeks time pre-season starts – and the talk is Koeman could be the man.
“He said no to an offer in January, but this is different. I think his health situation may have played a part. Discussions may be taking place, we may hear tomorrow, but he will need to separate from the national side so there is still a wait for that to happen.
“He is a name who will, more or less, make everybody happy.”
Koeman may oversee the transition at Barcelona
Koeman, who was sacked at Everton after leaving Southampton was appointed as Netherlands manager in February 2018.
He was rushed to hospital in May with chest complaints. After being released from the hospital, he said he felt “fit as a fiddle”.
Pochettino, on the other hand, has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham Hotspurs after five years in charge in November. The Argentine is also being linked with the role.
Balague claimed that the Argentine, who left for Spurs from Southampton is in the running but his appointment would not be well-received by the fans, due to his history as both a player and manager for local rivals Espanyol.
He believed that Koeman may oversee a “year of transition” before ex-Barca midfielder Xavi, currently, in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd would arrive.
Xavi is expected to be a long term replacement.
