The Dutch national team manager is currently in pole position to take over the Barça job.
Ronald Koeman, the European Cup winner with Barça in 1992 is currently the favourite candidate to be the next FC Barcelona manager. It is certain that the dismissal of Quique Setién is just a matter of time.
Koeman, who is currently managing the Netherlands national team has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave the job after the European Championship, which was scheduled to happen this year but is postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, but now he sees this as an great opportunity than at the start of the year.
Barça went trophy less for the first time since the 2013-14 season and for that the management feels that there should be some changes in the locker room as well, not only the manager.
The club has already mentioned that only Ter Stegen, De Jong and Messi are untouchables in the upcoming transfer market.
The Dutchman never hides his intention to take over the job. On June 5, he said on Catalunya Radio’s “Tot Gira” “I have a chance to leave the Dutch national team in the contract with the Netherlands, but after the European Championship. I don’t want to think about it because I’m very happy to work with the national team. Everyone knows that it’s a dream for me to coach Barça one day, but I hope that possibility comes up again someday.”
As for his past experiences, he was sacked mid-season from his job at Everton after they fell into the relegation zone despite spending almost two hundred million euros. But as the manager of Southampton, he tasted success. He took the team to the Europa League, the best result in their history.
Apart from Ronald Koeman, the name of Mauricio Pochettino is also looming. The Argentine’s name was circulated earlier in the year as well when Barça sacked Ernesto Valverde. But sources close to Pochettino has denied any meeting in recent days.
Xavi Hernández has also ruled out the possibility to take over the job right now.
García Pimienta, current Barça B team manager is ready if all other options do not come into fruition.
