Five candidates who could replace Ronald Koeman at Barcelona

Sometimes football management can be a thankless task, just ask current Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, who appears to be reaching the end of his thread at the Spanish giants. The Dutch coach has been forced to endure the departure of key players, including Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, leaving him forced to pick up the pieces at a club in financial ruins.

According to @gerardromero, these are the five managers Barcelona are considering should they sack Ronald Koeman…safe to say there’s a couple of surprises in there!

– Phillip Cocu
– Antonio Conte
– Xavi
– Joachim Low
– Andrea Pirlo 🤯 pic.twitter.com/E2keBDAE8o

— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) September 21, 2021

Just to make matters even worse for the experienced 58-year-old, fans are calling for Koeman’s head, following the inevitably disappointing start to the 2021-22 season that was always likely. Many of the best football betting sites are now offering odds for Koeman to be sacked, along with prices for potential replacements. However, before deciding who to back, finding competitive odds and good welcome bonuses is always recommended.

Given that opinion and influence is everything when it comes to online betting, choosing bookmakers based on trust and reputation is just as important, which is perhaps one of the key factors Barcelona should also consider when looking for their next manager. Interestingly, they have already drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates, according to prominent Catalan football journalist Gerard Moreno, so let’s take a look at each of the options they have in mind.

Xavi Hernandez

If there is one person Barcelona fans would love to see back at the Camp Nou, it’s iconic former player Xavi Hernandez, who made his emotional departure from the club in 2015. Having made 767 appearances with the Spanish giants, where he scored 85 goals and created 185 assists, Xavi went on to see out his playing days with Al Sadd Sports Club in the Qatar Stars League. He was then appointed as their manager in May 2019.

🗣 | Garcia Pimienta on [@ellarguero]: “Xavi will be the head coach of FC Barcelona, sooner or later.” pic.twitter.com/7uPT30GAJY

— La Senyera (@LaSenyera) September 18, 2021

Xavi won 65 percent of his games in charge of Al Sadd, throughout a tenure which has also brought silverware. During his tenure the club has won the 2020-21 Qatar Stars League title, the Qatar Cup in 2020 and 2021, the Qatari Super Cup in 2019, the Emir of Qatar Cup in 2020, plus the 2019-20 Qatari Stars Cup. Following the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in January 2020, Xavi rejected an offer from Barcelona, claiming it was too soon to return in any coaching capacity.

Phillip Cocu

Whenever they are considering managerial appointments, Barcelona often feel that having some of the club’s DNA is an important ingredient. As a former player, Phillip Cocu certainly fits the bill in that regard, through his period as a defensive midfield playmaker between 1998 and 2004. Cocu made a promising start to his managerial career with PSV Eindhoven, where he won three Eredivisie titles, plus the KNVB Cup.

Cocu on Barcelona shortlist https://t.co/0Ke1hRpa0b pic.twitter.com/DbwVQR7Luf

— Dutch Football 🇳🇱 (@FootballOranje_) April 27, 2017

Nevertheless, subsequent managerial moves for Cocu have been far from successful. After joining Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe in July 2018, the Dutchman was fired after just 15 games in charge. His next appointment was at Derby County in the English Championship, leading the team to a disappointing 10th position. Following just one win from eleven to start the 2020-21 season, Cocu was fired with Derby bottom of the table.

Joachim Low

During his lengthy and successful time as head coach of the Germany national team, the highlight for Joachim Low is undoubtedly the magnificent FIFA World Cup triumph of 2014, having guided the side to third place at the previous tournament. He also lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017, and led the Germans to the EURO 2008 final, where his team were eventually beaten by an unstoppable Spanish side.

While his achievements managing an international team are largely without reproach, despite a somewhat disappointing conclusion to his tenure, Low hasn’t managed a club side since leaving Austria Wien in March 2004. That’s a long time and regardless of his credentials, raises considerable doubts about whether he would be the right man to manage Barcelona right now.

Andrea Pirlo & Antonio Conte

Considered to be outside prospects at best, two Italian managers have been linked with the Barcelona post, should Ronald Koeman be ousted from his position. The first is Andrea Pirlo, who enjoyed a spectacular playing career that included numerous top honours. That said, his first managerial job with Juventus was fraught with difficulty. Pirlo was unable to guide a star-studded team any higher than fourth in Serie A, which meant his dismissal was no surprise, at the end of his debut 2020-21 campaign.

Barcelona are keeping tabs on Antonio Conte and Andrea Pirlo as potential Ronald Koeman replacements, reports Daniele Longo.https://t.co/1Wlc4KcWbZ

— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) September 21, 2021

The second Italian option Barcelona seem to be considering is Antonio Conte, who boasts an extensive and successful managerial track record. He won three Serie A titles with Juventus, before leading Chelsea to the 2016-17 Premier League title and the 2017-18 FA Cup. Most recently, 52-year-old Conte reached the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League final with Inter Milan, then guided them to the Serie A title last season.

The Best Option for Barcelona?

In principle, the best option for Barcelona would ultimately depend on who might be genuinely interested, accompanied by the belief they could genuinely improve the fortunes of this ailing Spanish behemoth of a club. The popular choice would undoubtedly be Xavi Hernandez, although he still might consider a second offer to be too soon in his fledgeling coaching career.

Neither of the options involving Phillip Cocu or Joachim Low are particularly appetising, with fans unlikely to greet either with much optimism. Andrea Pirlo might be interesting, although he clearly lacks the managerial experience or any ties to the Barça traditions. The latter would also be an obstacle for Antonio Conte, who would probably be reluctant to accept the Barcelona job given their financial situation.

Essentially, the next managerial appointment for Barcelona comes with limited options, few of which appear capable of restoring their playing traditions, unless current president Joan Laporta somehow coaxes Xavi to take on what is a monumental challenge. Whether the club decides to stick or twist with Koeman, whatever decisions are made could shape how the team fares for years to come.