As Barcelona enter one of their worst phases in recent memory, Ronald Koeman’s coaching career in Catalunya is set to be nearing its end.
Benfica handed the Blaugrana their first back-to-back Champions League defeat with a 3-0 loss since the 1972/73 UEFA Cup campaign, and that seems to be the last straw in the Dutch coach’s Barcelona managerial career.
A host of names – three in particular – have been speculated to take charge of the Spanish giants. Among the three names reported by Radio Catalunya, Andrea Pirlo is said to be ‘liked’ by the club’s management.
The former Milan and Juventus legend took his first steps as a manager last season with the Bianconeri, succumbing to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A and only just managing to push the club through to the Champions League.
The master passer of the ball is reportedly admired by Joan Laporta and would be the club’s first choice when only considering the financial aspects of his hire, as he would come on a relatively lesser wage than the other contenders as a free agent.
Apart from him, Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez and former Everton manager Roberto Martinez are also in contention for the role. Both of them are contracted with managerial positions at the moment, to Al Sadd and Belgium respectively.