Ronald Koeman’s time as head coach of FC Barcelona could be over soon, much to the relief of the team’s fans. A slow start to the 2021-22 season, fraught relationship with the club president, his falling out with Lionel Messi last season and repeated attempts to change the possession-first style of the club have all been factors in the gradual demise of his reputation.
Ahead of today’s La Liga match against Cadiz, Koeman held an unusual press conference on Wednesday, reading out a statement and refusing to take questions.
“The club is with me as the coach in a situation of rebuilding,” he said. “The financial situation of the club is connected to the sporting activities and vice versa. This means that we as a team have to rebuild the football team without being able to make any big financial investments, this needs time.
“The process that we are in right now, the staff with the team, deserves unconditional support, in word and in actions.”
A 3-0 drubbing by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week was followed by an embarrassing 1-1 draw to Granada in the domestic league.
Despite the Barca board backing the manager, there are reports that Koeman’s time at the club is nearly up. The former midfielder, who played at the Catalan club for six years in the 1990s, is expected to be removed in the coming days.
The club’s board of directors have already started looking for replacements who will take up the rebuilding process. Here are the top contenders for coaches who could replace Koeman:
Xavi
One of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi honed his craft and won every trophy possible at FC Barcelona. Since his departure, his return as a coach was only inevitable. Not only would Xavi be the fan favourite for the job, but his adherence to Barca’s tiki-taka will also be absolute. His presence and intelligence could have an impact on the game and lift the club from this current low.
Xavi is currently the coach of Qatari club Al Sadd. It will be interesting to see if he follows in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola, who was also a successful midfielder at the club before excelling as a manager. Andres Iniesta, Xavi’s long-time midfield partner, recently gave his verdict that Xavi is now ready for the Barca job.
Roberto Martinez
Though Xavi is the firm fan favourite, there are reports that another Spaniard currently tops the list for the club board. Roberto Martinez is more experienced and has long been known as a man of principle and nurturer of youth as he built competitive squads at Wigan Athletic, Everton and then the Belgium national team. The highlight of his career was the third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
It is said that Barcelona president Joan Laporta had even contacted Martinez in the summer, but the latter declined the offer as he wanted to focus on the Euros. Martinez would be the right man to kick-start a long-term plan at the club he has keenly waited for years to coach.
Joachim Low
Since his last game as head coach of the German national team, he has been one of the most-coveted figures in European football. Joachim Low may not have had the best end to his 15-year stint at the top job in Germany, but he certainly knows a thing or two about building a football dynasty.
Low, though, is unlikely to take a coaching position so soon after stepping down. But if the Barcelona opportunity provides to be too tempting for him to ignore, he would love to experiment with a squad that lacks stability. One key aspect of his game that could prevent the board from offering Low the job is his attacking football that is different to Barca’s.
Erik ten Hag
Dutchman Erik ten Hag’s project at Ajax has long been admired at Barcelona. The two clubs have a long association, particularly through a certain Johan Cruyff, of being bastions of footballing ideologies that promote youth talent above everything. In recent years, Ajax has not been as big a name as Barca, but neither has Barca been as successful as Ajax in producing world-class first-team products.
Ten Hag’s influence and footballing philosophy could be exactly what Barcelona need to find direction and to create a machine that plays beautiful football. Unfortunately, Ten Hag is on a long-term contract at Ajax and is highly unlikely to ditch his baby and take another job just weeks into a new season. But stranger things have happened in world football.
Jordi Cruyff
The Cruyff name has a romantic effect to it after all that the great man Johan did for Barcelona. His son, Jordi, had a fairly decent playing career too, including stints at Barcelona and Manchester United. His managerial career though has nothing much to show for, but he has worked with the Barcelona youth players and knows the workings and demands of the clubs inside out.
Jordi was recently made sporting advisor at Barcelona, and at the time Laporta touted the former player’s versatility, in what was seen as a bid to bring in a long-term replacement for Koeman. But Jordi firmly dismissed rumours that he would replace Koeman as he has great respect for his friend and compatriot.
Other names
Among others on Barcelona’s radar are former Italy and Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte, Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo, Barcelona’s B team coach Sergi Barjaun. Though they all have their positives, Conte is unlikely to take up a club that is in shambles; Pirlo would not be a good fit for the club’s style of play; and Barjaun, though an insider, might not be able to wield control of a dressing room full of misfiring stars.