5 most likely candidates to replace Ronald Koeman at Barcelona

Barcelona have relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as manager of the club. After getting off to a poor start to the season, there was immense pressure on Koeman as the club took on Real Madrid last weekend.

Successive losses seal Ronald Koeman's fate as Barcelona manager

They lost 2-1 in the first El Clasico of the season and the defeat wasn't well-received by the Barcelona faithful. The loss against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday proved to be the last straw and Barcelona were quick to pull the plug following that.

Barcelona released an official statement on their website.

"FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach. The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.

"FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career."

The question on everyone's mind right now is who is going to succeed Ronald Koeman. With plenty of high-profile managers linked with the job, let's take a look at five of the favourites to replace Ronald Koeman as Barcelona manager.

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#5 Robert Moreno

Granada manager Robert Moreno

Robert Moreno is a very familiar face at Barcelona. He worked as an assistant coach to Luis Enrique between 2014 and 2017. Moreno helped the club win several major triumphs during that time, including the continental treble in the 2014-15 season.

During his time as Barcelona assistant coach, the team won two La Liga titles, a Champions League, three Copas del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, a European Super Cup and a FIFA World Club Cup.

Moreno was appointed as the head coach of the Spanish national team in 2019 after serving as the assistant the year prior. He led La Roja through the Euro 2020 qualifying stages and had an unbeaten record before he resigned to allow Luis Enrique to return to the helm.

He subsequently took over at AS Monaco before returning to Spain as manager of Granada this summer. Moreno is currently the manager of Granada but he is someone who is familiar with Barcelona.

He will also cherish the opportunity to coach the side. Speaking to the press after Granada's 1-1 draw against Barcelona in September, Moreno declared his interest in becoming Barcelona's coach:

"I do not want to think of the situation of Koeman because of my respect to him, but the day Barca calls me, I will go on my knees."

#4 Roberto Martinez

Belgium Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Euro 2020: Group B

Despite not winning any silverware with the Belgian Red Devils, Roberto Martinez has proved his credentials as a coach over the past three years. He has led Belgium to first place in the FIFA World Rankings and has helped them maintain their place at the top for three years now.

The former Spain international's work has caught the eye of Barcelona's top brass but it remains to be seen if he'll be willing to leave the promising national side. He has a contract with Belgium until the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Martinez's work for the Belgian national side is very akin to how managers work with clubs. He has overseen the development of a new training facility and has a flourishing scouting system. Despite the lack of extensive time available to train together, Martinez's Belgium have their own established style of play.

#3 Marcelo Gallardo

Godoy Cruz v River Plate - Torneo Liga Profesional 2021

Marcelo Gallardo is long due a step up to a big European club. He has been brilliant for the Argentine club River Plate. Gallardo has led the club to 12 major trophies in the last seven years and would be a great choice for Barcelona.

He employs a possession-based, attacking style of play which would suit the Catalans. Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Gallardo. In 2019, Guardiola expressed his discontent at the Argentine coach's name not being mentioned in conversations about the best in the business.

The Manchester City manager said:

“What Gallardo has done with River is incredible. Every year three coaches are named as the best in the world, and he’s never among them. I can’t understand it. It’s as if there’s nothing else in the world apart from Europe.”

However, Gallardo leaving his beloved River Plate side halfway through the season looks unlikely. They are currently top of the league, nine points clear of second-placed Talleres Cordoba.

#2 Erik Ten Hag

Vitesse v Ajax - KNVB Cup Final

Erik Ten Hag has become one of the most sought-after coaches in the world thanks to his success with Ajax. He first grabbed the headlines after leading a young Ajax side to the semi-finals of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League.

He has led Ajax to two Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups so far. The 51-year-old is one of the names that Barcelona are reportedly very keen on. His Ajax side play a possession-based attacking style of football which would be in keeping with the philosophy at Barcelona.

However, the Dutchman is very loyal to Ajax and is unlikely to leave the club in the middle of the season. He also recently signed a new contract with the club and is tied to them until 2023.

#1 Xavi Hernandez

Soccerex Asia - Day 2

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has done a stellar job with Qatari club Al Sadd. He is the frontrunner for the job and would be a popular choice among the Camp Nou faithful owing to his incredible career at the club.

Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders of all time and was part of arguably the greatest Barcelona team of all time. He made a total of 767 appearances for the Catalans, scoring 85 goals and providing 185 assists.

Xavi won eight La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, three Copa Del Reys, five Supercopa de Espana, two UEFA Super Cups and FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona.

He also revealed that it is his dream to coach Barcelona in a recent interview. He told 20 minutes (via BarcaBlaugranes):

"My idea is to coach Barcelona. I have never hidden it, it is my goal and my dream. I don’t know if it will happen or not, if they will need me or not, but at the moment I am happy to be in Al-Sadd and very proud of it.

“If an offer comes in, it will be evaluated and then we will try to decide, but at the moment I am very happy here.”

He most recently won the Qatar Stars League with Al Sadd and his side are also known for playing an attractive, possession-based style of football.