Arrived at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2020, Ronald Koeman was sacked by his club on the night of Wednesday 27 to Thursday 28 October. While the club is on the brink of elimination in the Champions League, the Blaugranas are looking for a new head to restart the machine. Franceinfo: sport gives an overview of the coaches likely to join Barça.
Evidence Xavi
Announced as a big favorite by the Spanish press, Xavi Hernandez could return to his club, six years after leaving it. Legend of FC Barcelona, he left excellent memories for the supporters of his club, with which he won the Champions League four times. The former midfielder became coach of Al-Sadd in Qatar in May 2019.
He implemented a game based on possession and quick transitions inspired by that of great Barca, which saw him win the 2020/2021 championship and be voted Qatar’s top coach. Xavi having never hidden his desire to train FC Barcelona, he seems today in pole position to replace Koeman.
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The experienced Conte
Barcelona leaders could make the choice of security by taking a coach confirmed at European level. Passed by Juventus, Inter or Chelsea, Antonio Conte has won Serie A three times with the Old lady as well as the Premiere League and the Europa League with the Blues. But perhaps his greatest feat of arms remains the Scudetto won last season with the Milanese club,
10 years after the last championship won by the Interists and following 9 years of reign of Juventus. Barça may well have the habit of taking his former players as coaches, he could make an exception and afford the services of the Italian, who has never evolved there. Even if his fetish 3-5-2 has not matched the tactical standards of the Catalan club for ten years.
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The heir Ten Hag
Even if he has never played for Barça, the current Ajax Amsterdam coach is linked there by his affiliation with Johann Cruyff and Pep Guardiola. Erik Ten Hag got his 4-3-3 playing from high up on the pitch with all-field pressing. The total game defended by the Dutch coach is a real asset in the race for the Barcelona bench.
Champion of the Netherlands in 2019 and 2021, his Ajax also made an impression during the 2018-2019 Champions League campaign: he eliminated Real Madrid in eighth and Juventus in quarter, before losing to the wire in the semi-finals against Tottenham.
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Laurent Blanc or Thierry Henry, the chef’s surprise?
FC Barcelona player from 2007 to 2010, Thierry Henry stays an option. THEhe emblematic Arsenal striker could conquer the hearts of supporters by restoring dynamism to a team in difficulty collectively. However, his inexperience may work against him. Thierry Henry saw his 2020 season at the head of the Montreal Impact in MLS amputated by the Covid-19. His only real experience as a coach took place on the bench of AS Monaco, in 2018-2019, and had lasted only three and a half months. Penultimate in Ligue 1 in January, he was sacked by the Monegasque club for his poor results
Another former Barcelona who trained in Ligue 1, and regularly mentioned as a potential coach for the Catalan club, Laurent Blanc is a last possibility. The 4-3-3 he had set up at PSG was directly inspired by that of Barça. But currently coach of Al Rayyan SC in Qatar and after five years without managing clubs in Europe, he may have missed his chance.