6 managers who can replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona

Luis Enrique had a tough initiation as the coach of Barcelona. While people were looking for big statements after a trophyless season, this season has had its share of bumps and blips for Barcelona.On the face of it not much has changed, Barcelona are still in the hunt for all major trophies with La Liga standings depicting them breathing down Real Madrid's back with a solitary point separating the two clubs (albeit Madrid playing a game less). The Spanish media though show a different picture altogether, one filled with backroom drama and tensions. The rumours have been rife that not all is hunky-dory behind the scenes at Nou Camp. The departure of Andoni Zubizaretta and his assistant Carles Puyol from the backroom was a bad omen.Speculation have suggested that it may all lead to a complete change of guard with Luis Enrique being the next departure as the incumbent Barcelona President, Bartomeu has already pointed to an earlier elections. With news of Lionel Messi and Luis Enrique being on not the most pleasant of terms and with the Messi social media fiasco things looked like deteriorating, more so for the manager, who in such situations is first to bear the brunt.Though both Messi and Enrique quashed down rumors by coming out and showing their allegiance to the club in front of the media. As it seems, there may not be an apocalypse right now, things can change pretty soon as far as the Catalan giants are concerned. So here's looking at prospective replacement of Luis Enrique who can continue with the tiki taka philosophy.

#6 Jurgen Klopp

Klopp is the wild card; the joker of the pack in this list if you may say so. Wild card mainly for his availability remains a big question. As is evident, Dortmund and Klopp have had a long history and it might require something consolidating to make him part company with the Ruhr Valley club. Despite the strong bond that Dortmund and Klopp show, his candidature to lead a club like FC Barcelona is pretty bright.

One of the prime reasons why he may be the right fit for the job is his philosophy. Klopp has long nurtured this blitzkrieg sort of tactics at Borussia Dortmund, pressing for the ball collectively and attacking with the same vigor and collectiveness. While his strong pressing game has garnered much attention through the German club's rise, it would be somewhat redolent of the Pep Guardiola era at Barcelona if Klopp is given the free reins at Nou Camp. The passion and work rate from Klopp teams has always been commendable and Barcelona currently do require something very similar.

Though Klopp may sound like a great option for Barcelona, his suitors in the market are many. With English clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United regularly being linked with him, Barcelona may have to fight it out for him. Another deterrent for this potential managerial change is the current form. While being one point off in La Liga is frowned upon by Spanish media, Dortmund currently are on a nosedive as far as form is concerned. Languishing in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, Klopp's current form does not really augur well upon him.

Realistically chances of him leaving Dortmund are slim but if Barcelona need someone who can Marshall the troop, be assertive amongst the stars of Barcelona squad and help them develop this edge that they have been missing since Guardiola, they should really look at this fiery German.

#5 Manuel Pellegrini

The respected Chilean is a civil engineer by trade and truth be told he has, in his long career as a football manager, been able to engineer teams from nowhere and helped them succeed. Whether it may be Villarreal or Malaga, he has been instrumental in putting them on European football map.

It won't come as surprise if Barcelona go for the current Manchester City boss. While his familiarity with Spanish league may be one of the factors having spent a decade or so coaching in Spain, another factor that makes him a prime contender is his footballing philosophy. The Chilean has an approach that pretty much matches to how the Catalan club likes to play their game. Attack minded, pass and move sort of game that Barcelona have won the world over with is pretty much what Pellegrini prefers.

Moreover with big egos at Barcelona, Pellegrini’s calm demeanor and his smooth man management may go a long way in seeing to it that things roll on without all the unnecessary firework that the club is experiencing currently. Though the Chilean recently distanced himself from the job it may not be a surprise to see him battle it out with another Spanish big gun and prove his mettle in Spain, particularly after his restrained spell at Real Madrid.

Realistic chances to acquire him are good. Manchester City are not particularly hinged on the Chilean, with all their financial prowess they are always on the lookout for the next big thing and the same is the case with their managerial position. Particularly if Pellegrini fails to win any trophy in the current season, he could find himself in a precarious situation leading his way to other big clubs who would no doubt be on the pounce.

#4 Frank Rijkaard

Rijkaard is being piped as the name Messi wants as far as the media reports are concerned. With so much said about the say and power of modern day football superstars, this is just a specimen how clubs sometimes are run or perceived to be run by players. Lionel Messi was given his debut in a Barcelona's shirt by Rijkaard and, as they say, rest is history. And it seems Messi who has his share of well-documented trouble with Luis Enrique is all for the return of the Dutchman.

While Rijkaard has been away from the game in a managerial capacity for quite a long time, even suggesting that he was done with the management side of the game after bad spells in Turkey with Galatasaray as well his last managerial post as the head coach of Saudi Arabia from which he was sacked. But Rijkaard, the tenacious midfielder of that golden Ajax generation, may still have something in his locker for another spell as the Barcelona manager. With his pal, Juan Laporta rumoured to be in contention for a return to the presidency of the club, Rijkaard may eventually come back to Barcelona once again, after all.

What clicks for the Dutchman and his chances for a Catalan comeback is his familiarity with the squad and the club. Like his countryman Ronald Koeman, he too has been at Barcelona before and has won both domestic and European trophies with the club as well. With players (or players whose vote count) open and receptive to the Dutchman it would be far easier in the dressing room.

#3 Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman (second from left) as then Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal’s assistant.

The Dutch manager is experiencing baptism by fire in his debut season in English Premier League with Southampton. While not even the club themselves may have predicted the way things have panned out this season particularly after the mass exodus that saw a majority of first teamers moving on. With the Saints lying third in the EPL standings, Koeman has surely caught everyone's eyes.

Koeman, a disciple of Dutch as well Barcelona ideologies, has been pivotal in the Southampton surge. While his distinctive attack minded approach has had many a scalp including wins over Arsenal and Manchester United, he may be capable of achieving bigger feats if and when Barcelona request their ex-player/assistant manager to take full charge of the club.

With his proximity with the Catalan club having spent almost a decade with them, as part of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream team” as well as working as assistant manager to Louis Van Gaal, it is natural for Ronald Koeman to be linked with Barcelona. He has been linked with them earlier as well but with the current scenario and his work with the Saints, this may have been the final push required to seal the deal.

Though Koeman has been vary of speaking prematurely on the issue and has as well distanced himself from the job citing his concentration on the Southampton season it would not be a surprise to see him move shores to Spain this summer. Having had success at various clubs in various countries as a manager, it would be his toughest test so far to guide Barcelona. Though his knowledge of the club’s working through his earlier roles will surely aide his move.

#2 Oscar Garcia

A somewhat obscure name in the list of prospective managers, Oscar Garcia has a similar narrative as Pep Guardiola (and even Luis Enrique to a certain extent) had before joining the Barcelona dugouts-an ex-La Masia graduate, working with the academy squad of Barcelona and having no or not much experience in the big leagues. Perhaps trying to emulate the Guardiola story but if rumors are to be believed, Garcia is amongst the front runners for the Barcelona job.

Garcia who was the manager of Barcelona youth team when they won the treble in 2011 has not much to show on his C.V after that. Stints at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Brighton and Watford were promising including winning the title in Israel. But what works as the biggest advantage for him is the fact that he has the so-called Barcelona DNA. Having worked with the Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff and played with fellow managers of future Josep Guardiola, Michael Laudrup, and Ronald Koeman, he knows what it takes to succeed at the biggest stage. And having already worked wonders with the youngsters of Barcelona during his earlier stint his familiarity with the faces would be an added advantage if the Spaniard decides to join them.

While it is pretty clear that La Blaugrana want Garcia back at the club, evidenced by their offering him the vacant Director of Football role, which was subtly declined by Garcia. It is believed that Garcia wishes to coach and not work behind the scenes. Garcia, who has till now earned rave reviews in his English sojourn with lower league sides, has been able to prove himself outside Spain. Currently recuperating from heart related ailment which saw him vacate the Watford post abruptly earlier this season. Garcia at 41 has no doubt the time and talent to be the Barcelona boss and may turn out to be a Luis Enrique-esque repacement for Luis Enrique.

#1 Marcelo Bielsa

The football world has never managed to find a more apt sobriquet than for Bielsa. Nicknamed El Loco or the madman, Bielsa is someone who has long nurtured this nickname. The Argentinean manager is well known for his temper and outbursts and well as his meticulous nature regarding things related to football. He was quoted as saying, "A man with new ideas is mad until he succeeds" and perhaps he is on the lookout for real success. And Barcelona may be the destination for him possibly to go mainstream after years of getting noticed and applauded for his tactical prowess, maybe it’s time to be known for his trophies.

With the current situation, Barcelona would be an ideal lab for his mad experiments with majority of the Barcelona coterie enchanted by Bielsa, it won’t be the unlikeliest of the moves. Pep Guardiola has long held an admiration for the master tactician, even professing it on records, mentioning that Bielsa is the best coach on the planet. While Javier Mascherano has worked with the genius himself for the national team, Messi has shown his willingness to work with him. Maybe this mutual admiration society may end at the training grounds of Barcelona someday. While this may seem conjecture but looking at Bielsa’s current form it won’t be a bad choice, after all.

Currently in charge of French outfit – Olympique Marseilles who have piped the high spending PSG, lying one point adrift of leaders Lyon with help from the tactical magic of Bielsa this season, Bielsa is earning high accolades for his work in France. Despite his temperamental issues, Bielsa the coach is one of the most consummate around the world and deserves to manage a prestigious club like Barcelona, perhaps to solidify his legend in the annals of football history.