From Xavi to Poch: Meet the candidates who could replace Ronald Koeman at Barcelona

Suffering a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in their final Group G appearance in this year’s Champions League on Tuesday night, Barcelona have the feel of a club really in crisis.

Suffering their first European defeat at the Nou Camp since that embarrassing 8-2 loss at the hands of Bayern Munich over the summer, it is no surprise that many around Catalonia are calling for Ronald Koeman to be given his marching orders.

Despite their former defender only taking over back in August after leaving his role with the Dutch national side, the one-time Everton boss finds his new squad sat all the way down in ninth in the La Liga table.

With their shock 2-1 defeat against Cadiz last weekend highlighting a string of issues, we have taken a look at three rumoured candidates who could be in line to replace Koeman at Barcelona.

Mauricio Pochettino

With many across Europe expecting vacancies at the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United to become available sooner rather than later, it’s no surprise that Mauricio Pochettino should be a man in demand.

While many expected him to jump straight back into the hot seat after shockingly partying ways with Tottenham last year, only months on from guiding them to their first Champions League final, the 48-year-old is still sat by his phone.

Although Pochettino may have famously previously stated that he could never see himself taking over at the Nou Camp after spending two years at Barca’s bitter rivals Espanyol, the one-time Southampton boss has since backtracked and softened his stance.

Already priced at 3/1 with Betfair to take over from Koeman at the fading European giants, there is no doubt that the unsettled fan base around Catalonia would welcome Pochettino’s attacking philosophy.

Marcelo Bielsa

While some might feel that Marcelo Bielsa is a shock addition to Barcelona’s potential managerial wishlist, it is no secret that the 65-year-old is held in extremely high regard by many across Spain, including the Nou Camp hierarchy.

Doing wonders since shocking many and taking over at then-Championship outfit Leeds back in 2018, Bielsa has since managed to guide the Yorkshire side back to the Premier League after a famous 12 months at Elland Road.

With the likes of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola quick to praise the effect that Bielsa has had on his own managerial career, his achievements haven’t just gone noticed in England.

Included in FIFA’s five-man shortlist for the Best Coach of the Year award, alongside the likes of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Bayern Munich’s Hansi Flick, Bielsa’s experience will undoubtedly be a huge appeal to Barcelona.

Xavi

If Barcelona are looking to part ways with one of their former European winners only a few months after bringing Koeman back to Catalonia, they could be tempted to replace the Dutchman with another one of their most famous stars.

Consistently linked with a move back to the Nou Camp after ending his glittering 17-year stay with the former Spanish champions, Xavi still remains as a firm fan favourite with many behind the scenes.

With it no secret that many expect the former World Cup-winner to one day take charge at his boyhood club, Barcelona’s continued nightmare could tempt their hierarchy to approach him sooner rather than later.

Knowing that Xavi’s arrival could hand them an additional boost in their attempts to convince six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi to extend his stay, Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font said last month that the former midfielder could become the Blaugrana’s version of Sir Alex Ferguson.