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Barcelona suffered arguably the most humiliating defeat in its recorded history yesterday as Bayern Munich decimated the Catalan giants in the Champions League to make a massive statement to the rest of Europe. 2020 has certainly been a year of transition for the world and is also turning out to be a particularly game-changing year for football.
Only a few hours have passed since Bayern Munich's 8-2 massacre of Barcelona and reported have already emerged of Barcelona manager Quique Setien's impending departure from the club. The Cantabrian coach got it all wrong against the Bavarians and is likely to be the first casualty of Barcelona's overhaul.
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Quique Setien is set to lose his job after Bayern Munich obliterates Barcelona
Quique Setien was appointed earlier this year to resolve the mess that Ernesto Valverde had left in his wake at Barcelona. The former Real Betis manager came to the club with strong ideals but has been accused by the Barcelona fanbase of abandoning his beliefs to implement ineffective and short-term solutions.
Most of Barcelona's board and the club's squad are unlikely to survive the fury of the fans of the club after a defeat such as this. Barcelona broke several humiliating records on its way out of the Champions League and Quique Setien's departure will mark the beginning of an inquisition at a club that has hit rock bottom.
Barcelona is still a prestigious club and there are several high-profile coaches that would take up the offer to coach one of the most star-studded line-ups in the world. The new appointment is arguably the most important decision in Barcelona's recent history and the management of the club will have to study its options carefully.
#5 Garcia Pimienta
There are several positives that emerge from banking on one of your own and Barcelona knows that all too well. Garcia Pimienta has revived the fortunes of the club's fabled B team and nearly managed to secure promotion for Barcelona's fledgeling stars this season.
The Catalan coach knows the club inside out and will be a blessing in disguise for the younger players at the club. Pimienta has worked with the likes of Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati in the past and his knack of bringing the best out of his youth players may see him become an interim coach in the coming weeks.
Pimienta's lack of experience in the top division, however, is a massive disadvantage. Barcelona has one of the most dissonant dressing rooms in Europe and the squad needs a real leader to step up.
While Garcia Pimienta is equipped with the tactical nous to revive the philosophy of a club that seems to have abandoned its ideals, the sheer magnitude of expectations at Barcelona will likely be too steep a slope for the Catalan manager.
#4 Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman has plenty of experience as a coach and may well take up a role at Barcelona if the board decides to play it safe. The Dutchman has played for Barcelona under Johan Cruyff and understands the philosophy of the club.
Koeman is also a fiery character and will not allow the dressing room to dictate terms to him. Barcelona has suffered from player power over the last three years and needs a manager who can exercise a firm hold over the ageing superstars at the club.
The former Barcelona defender has also worked with Frenkie de Jong for the Dutch national team and can bring the best out of the Ajax prodigy. The style of play that Ronald Koeman's teams adopt, however, is a potential point of contention and may work against him in the race to become Barcelona's new manager.
Also Read: 10 stunning facts from Barcelona's embarrassing defeat against Bayern Munich
#3 Xavi
Xavi Hernandez is one of the best players in Barcelona's illustrious history. The midfield maestro knows what it takes to win trophies and was one of the driving forces behind one of Barcelona's most glorious eras of all time.
The Catalan has now become a coach and has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Barcelona to take up a managerial role. Xavi has strong ideals and will refuse to compromise on his beliefs at the club. The former midfielder is one of Barcelona's favourite sons and can potentially seize the opportunity to make his storied return.
It can be argued, however, that this is the worst possible time for Xavi to take up the reins as Barcelona's manager. The club is in need of a complete squad overhaul and the administration is currently dabbling in mediocrity and antiquity. Xavi has never managed a big club before and while that has not stopped many of Barcelona's most successful managers, the former player's appointment at this stage is too great a risk.
#2 Pep Guardiola
Barcelona fans would give anything to go back to the club's glory days, where the Blaugrana's success was a predetermined outcome and was taken for granted by pundits across the world.
Pep Guardiola was appointed after Barcelona suffered a horrible 4-1 defeat against Real Madrid in 2008. Barcelona was in a similar state of disarray before Guardiola revolutionised the club and created an emblem of power and beauty. Guardiola's Barcelona has become a symbol of domination and the legend continues to grow with every passing year.
The only reason Guardiola is not at the top of the list is that there is next to no chance of him taking Quique Setien's place at Barcelona. The Catalan manager has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to Manchester City and will likely reject an opportunity to revive the fortunes of his hometown club.
#1 Mauricio Pochettino
Not all Barcelona fans will agree with this appointment but given the current situation, Mauricio Pochettino may well be the best choice to bring Barcelona back from the brink. The Argentine manager is a proven tactician and while his style may not be compatible with Barcelona's philosophy, the Catalan giants cannot afford to be stubborn at the moment.
The only thing that works against Pochettino is his lack of trophies but Barcelona is likely to ignore his past failures. Mauricio Pochettino is currently available to Barcelona and if reports are to be believed, the club has already initiated negotiations with the former Tottenham man.
Pochettino has an excellent record with youth players and can potentially restore La Masia to its former glory. The Argentine coach is also equipped with impeccable man-management skills and will not be held hostage by an evidently immature Barcelona dressing room.
Barcelona needs to appoint a strong personality as its manager and Pochettino is the most suitable candidate at the moment. It is only a matter of time before the Blaugrana sack Quique Setien and the former Spurs manager is currently the front-runner to take his place.
