5 most likely candidates to replace Ronald Koeman at Barcelona

#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.