MX23RW : Friday, November 8 02:42:57| >> :120:14095:14095:

Barcelona's next head coach: Five contenders to replace Quique Setien

Sports Mole looks at five contenders to replace head coach Quique Setien at Barcelona following the club's humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich.

Quique Setien's short-lived reign as Barcelona head coach is expected to come to an end on Monday when the Catalan giants hold a board meeting.

The 61-year-old only took over from Ernesto Valverde in January but has presided over one of the worst periods in the club's history.

After exiting the Copa del Rey early and finishing second to Real Madrid in La Liga, Barca suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the last eight of the Champions League.

That is almost certain to be Setien's final game in charge, meaning that one of the highest-profile jobs in world football is soon to become available.

Here, Sports Mole looks at five possible contenders for the Camp Nou role.


Xavi

Al Sadd manager Xavi pictured at the Club World Cup in December 2019© Reuters

If Barcelona are looking for a manager who 'gets the club', they need look no further than legendary midfielder Xavi.

Xavi has spent the past 15 month in charge of Al Sadd, reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in that time, and has another year left to run on his contract.

However, the 40-year-old turned down the job when approached in January and suggested this week that he is not yet ready to return to Catalonia, where he spent two decades of his trophy-laden playing career.


Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts on November 9, 2019© Reuters

It was only two years ago that Pochettino famously declared that he would rather work on a farm than manage Barcelona, the cross-city rivals of his former club Espanyol.

Speaking last month, though, the 48-year-old appeared to backtrack on those comments by saying "anything can happen" when asked about the speculation linking him with the job.

Pochettino has been out of work since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in November, five months after leading the club to the Champions League final, which will surely appeal to Barca.


Massimiliano Allegri

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri pictured in May 2019© Reuters

Arguably the hottest managerial name on the market, Allegri has been looking for the right project since leaving Juventus in May 2019.

The Italian won 11 trophies in five seasons at the Allianz Arena, while also guiding Juve to a couple of Champions League finals.

Allegri also achieved title success at AC Milan, but Barca are likely to face competition for his signature from elsewhere.


Ronald Koeman

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman on September 6, 2019© Reuters

Koeman is another who has previously been in talks with Barcelona over becoming head coach, recently explaining that he turned it down to instead stick with the Netherlands.

However, with the European Championships being pushed back 12 months, and the international fixture list decimated by the coronavirus pandemic, Koeman's stance may have changed.

The Dutchman, who has both played for and coached Barca, would need assurances that he is a long-term option and not just being brought in as a stopgap for the next year.


Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on June 17, 2020© Reuters

This may be a bit of a long shot considering that Guardiola is under contract with Manchester City for another year, but the Catalan is said to be reevaluating his future.

Man City's latest Champions League exit has led to plenty of questions being asked of Guardiola, who has now failed to win the competition in seven attempts since leaving Camp Nou.

The 49-year-old remains one of the most successful managers in Barca's history, though, and the club would no doubt love to have him back in place at some point in the near future.

ID:410507: cacheID:410507:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7863:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona manager Quique Setien pictured on June 13, 2020
Read Next:
Barcelona 'could delay Quique Setien sacking'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!