Barcelona confirm Sergi Barjuan as new interim head coach

Barcelona have confirmed that Sergi Barjuan has been appointed the club's new head coach on an interim basis.

The Catalan giants announced on Wednesday evening that Ronald Koeman had been relieved of his managerial duties, with the decision taken following the 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

The club's legendary midfielder Xavi is the favourite to take the position on a long-term basis, providing that his exit from Al Sadd can be negotiated.

However, Barjuan, who is currently in charge of Barcelona B, will take on the role while the club finalise the appointment of a permanent manager.

"FC Barcelona hereby announces that Sergi Barjuan, the current coach of Barca B, shall be taking provisional charge of the technical management of the senior squad. His interim position as first team head coach shall end as soon as the club has hired a full-time head coach to replace the dismissed Ronald Koeman," read a statement on the club's official website.

Barjuan is expected to lead the team into Saturday's clash with Alaves, where the Catalan outfit will be attempting to bounce back from successive defeats to Real Madrid and Rayo.

The 49-year-old represented Barcelona as a player between 1988 and 2002, progressing through the youth system before making 382 appearances for the first team.