Xavi The Favourite After Barcelona Sack Koeman As Coach
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published October 28, 2021 | 11:54 AM
Ronald Koeman has been sacked as Barcelona coach after a torrid 14 months, with legendary midfielder Xavi Hernandez the strong favourite to replace him
Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Oct, 2021 ) :Ronald Koeman has been sacked as Barcelona coach after a torrid 14 months, with legendary midfielder Xavi Hernandez the strong favourite to replace him.
The 58-year-old Dutchman was dismissed after a 1-0 defeat by Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday left the Spanish giants sitting ninth in La Liga.
Barca have won only two of their last seven league games under Koeman, a run that included losing to Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico at Camp Nou.
A poor start to the season has raised the possibility of the team failing to qualify for next season's Champions League, which would have enormous consequences for the club's already dire financial situation.
Xavi, who is currently in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd, is considered Koeman's most likely successor and would be a hugely popular choice with the Barca fans given his glittering playing career there.
There is also the belief that the 41-year-old would instil an attractive style similar to the one played by Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.
River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo and Ajax's Erik ten Hag have also been linked with the post but might be reluctant to leave their jobs mid-season.
Barcelona B coach Sergi Barjuan could take charge of the first team on an interim basis, with games against Alaves, Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League and Celta Vigo to come before the next international break.
A club statement released after midnight Wednesday in Spain confirmed the axing of Koeman, who also previously managed Everton and the Netherlands and had been under fierce pressure.
"The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano," the statement said.
"Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva (training ground)."
Recent Stories
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
More Stories From World
-
Blades of Paris landmark Moulin Rouge windmill collapse
17 minutes ago -
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
27 minutes ago -
Blades of Paris landmark Moulin Rouge windmill collapse
36 minutes ago -
Advanced 5G base station launched in Mt. Qomolangma
37 minutes ago -
China committed to supporting Zimbabwe's innovation-driven development
47 minutes ago -
Myanmar to hold 59th gems emporium next month
1 hour ago
-
Digital economy contributes 8.4 pct to Philippine economy in 2023
1 hour ago -
China committed to supporting Zimbabwe's innovation-driven development
1 hour ago -
Starfish control program improving health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef: report
1 hour ago -
Pakistan calls for addressing development changes at a key UN meeting
1 hour ago -
Advanced 5G base station launched in Mt. Qomolangma
1 hour ago -
Cambodia on right track to achieving malaria-free goal by 2025: PM
1 hour ago