Marca reports that Barcelona will not fire manager Ronald Koeman until their Saturday night fixture against Atletico Madrid. The Catalans will travel to the Wanda Metropolitano after losing to Benfica 3-0 In their Champions League game, in desperate need for a turnaround.
Spanish media outlets have also reported that former Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo and current Belgium national team head coach Roberto Martinez are favorites to replace the Dutchman.
In May, Pirlo was sacked by the Bianconeri after a disappointing debut season, whilst Martinez, who has been in charge of Belgium for five years, earned a third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup and will be a tough man to lure away.
Luis Enrique, the man who led them a famous treble in 2015, confirmed he has no interest to leave the Spanish national team job that he currently holds. The club fans on social media are keen on watching Xavi Hernandez return as the head coach, who is currently in charge of Al Sadd in Qatar.
A disappointing homecoming for Barcelona legend
The Dutchman was appointed as Barcelona manager in August 2020, shortly after Quique Setien was dismissed from the post. Koeman, the club legend who won their first-ever European Cup in 1992 with a free-kick winner against Sampdoria, was expected to bring those glory days back at the club.
Koeman had led the Netherlands into the UEFA Nations League final in 2019, where they lost to Portugal (1-0). He seemed to be on track to bring Oranje back in the grand scheme of things, and helped them qualify for Euro 2020. But shortly after Setien was sacked, he was seen as the right replacement, and Koeman could not say no to managing the club where he made his name.
However, things have not been so spectacular since his appointment. His side defeated Villarreal 4-0 in his first game in charge and his first defeat came against arch-rivals Real Madrid. His side got knocked out of the Champions League by PSG, and in the only final he managed to reach (Supercopa de Espana), his side lost to Athletic Bilbao on penalties.
He did get his revenge against Bilbao as the side managed a 4-0 win in the Copa Del Rey final, but a disappointing finish in the title chase got their fans disappointed. Upon losing his icon player Lionel Messi earlier this season, the ultimate damage started to unravel as his side lost both their Champions League fixtures 3-0, to Bayern Munich at home and to Benfica away.
