Ronald Koeman no longer seems confident in his job as head coach of Barcelona. The pressure on his shoulders is growing because of the disappointing results. There is already speculation in Spain about his succession and a six-member list is circulating in the media. Erik ten Hag is on the list, but the Ajax coach would not be the favorite to succeed Koeman. According to the Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, the name of the clubless Andrea Pirlo is at the top of the list.
Romero, who announced his departure last week as a journalist from RAC1, named several candidates on his own Twitch channel on Monday evening who would be seen by Barcelona as possible successors to Koeman. In addition to Pirlo and Ten Hag, he also mentioned the names of Phillip Cocu, Marcelo Bielsa, Antonio Conte and Xavi. Chairman Joan Laporta would have Pirlo at the top of his wish list, according to Romero, who frequently writes #koemanout on Twitter.
Koeman, whose contract with Barcelona expires at the end of the season, indicated on Monday evening after the disappointing 1-1 draw against Granada to Spanish journalists that he does not want to talk about his future anymore. Earlier, the trainer let the NOS know that he is in talks with Laporta about a new contract. However, after the 0-3 defeat in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and the draw against Granada, a possible resignation of Koeman is a topic in the Spanish media.
Pirlo is seen as a favorite at Barcelona to replace Koeman, according to Romero. The Italian is without an employer after his resignation from Juventus earlier this year. According to Sport Koeman can count on being fired and Roberto Martínez is also on Laporta’s list. The Spanish trainer, national coach of Belgium since 2016, would be one of the candidates to succeed Koeman.
A possible departure of Koeman will reportedly cost Barcelona millions. The club must pay the trainer a fee of six million euros if it is decided not to keep him in the saddle for a third season, it was reported in the program last weekend. Club de la Mitjanita by Catalunya Radio. Koeman paid his transfer fee from Barcelona to the KNVB a year ago. A clause in the coach’s contract, which currently runs until mid-2022, would now ensure that he gets this amount back if he is not allowed to stay on for a third season in Catalonia.