River Plate boss to replace Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona?

River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo has been reportedly lined up as Ernesto Valverde's replacement at Barcelona.

The latter has claimed consecutive La Liga titles at the Camp Nou, but the club's performances this season have left them in fourth place in the table.

Moreover, some Barcelona supporters believe that Valverde ought to be dismissed after overseeing successive capitulations in the Champions League knockout phases against AS Roma and Liverpool respectively.

According to The Sun, Barcelona view Gallardo as the man to take over should results fail to improve under Valverde over the next few weeks.

Gallardo has enjoyed impressive success with the Buenos Aires club, winning the Copa Libertadores on two occasions - including a victory in the final over local rivals Boca Juniors.

Barcelona have a history of hiring managers from South America, with the club appointing Gerardo Martino from Newell's Old Boys in 2013.