What Next at Barcelona?

17/08/20 3143

The Champions League quarter-final match against an in-form Bayern Munich was always going to be a tough test for Barcelona. However, no one expected them to lose the game in the manner they did, conceding 8 goals. It was a humiliating defeat and one that will not be forgotten by the fans for a long time.

It wasn't only the level of the performance that was poor, it was the approach and some of the players seemed as though they had given up in the second half. The same can be said for manager Quique Setien, who remained quiet and motionless throughout the second half as his team were dismantled by the opposition.

At the time of writing, Setien is still the manager of Barcelona but there is no way he is going to continue into next season. In fact, Setien is expected to be sacked this week and that will leave Barcelona with the task of appointing a new manager. With the 2020/21 La Liga season due to start on the 12th of September, they have little time to waste in making the appointment.

One man who has been linked with the job is former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino. Reports suggest the Argentine has been approached by the club but the fans may take a dislike to him due to the fact he has previously played and managed local rivals Espanyol. Therefore, current Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman could be the man to take the Camp Nou hot seat.

Koeman, who has previously managed Everton and Southampton in the English Premier League, knows Barcelona well from his playing days at the club. It may be the case that Barcelona decide to offer him a temporary one year deal with the idea that former midfielder Xavi will take over from the Dutchman in the following season. Xavi is currently operating in Qatar, as the manager of Al Sadd.

Then we come to the playing squad and there have been strong rumours about the future of Lionel Messi. Time is running out for the for the 33-year-old Argentina forward in terms of making a move to another major European club.

Rumours have been circulating that Messi has already asked to leave the club this summer and that could lead to a transfer to Manchester City, where he would link-up once more with Pep Guardiola.

Other players who could be about to leave Barcelona include Antoine Griezmann and fellow France forward Ousmane Dembele. Both players were brought into the club at great expense but may be allowed to leave in order for a rebuild to commence. Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal, and Philippe Coutinho could also be heading for the exit door.

That would result in not only a new manager but also a significant turnover of players. Therefore, next season could be somewhat of a transition for Barcelona during which they struggle to compete for the major trophies.