By Daily Sports on October 28, 2021

Ronald Koeman has been sacked as head coach of Barcelona after just 14 months in charge at the Nou Camp.

Barca have picked up just 15 points from 10 games in La Liga and have already lost twice in the group stage of this season’s Champions League.

They are ninth in La Liga, six points adrift of leaders Sevilla after losing at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

The loss was Barca’s third in their last four games and it followed defeat in Sunday’s Clasico to Real Madrid.

In a statement, the Spanish club said: “The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him [Koeman] of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

“Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday.”

Xavi offered the job

Barca could soon have a replacement for Koeman as Goal can confirm that longtime midfielder and current Al Sadd head coach Xavi has been offered the job.

Xavi has an exit clause with the Qatar side but it is understood that he wants to move to Barcelona, who are prepared to pay the fee needed to secure the 41-year-old.

Rayo loss accelerated Laporta’s decision

Laporta had lost faith in Koeman several weeks ago, Goal understands, but he had remained in charge despite a slow start to the season.

But after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Rayo, which came on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico at the weekend, Laporta felt that a change was needed immediately.

Koeman’s time in charge

The Dutchman was confirmed as Barcelona manager in August 2020, taking over after Quique Setien had been dismissed in the aftermath of the club's disastrous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Koeman saw his side struggle in his first season in charge, but did manage to bring home one piece of silverware in the form of the Copa del Rey.

This offseason saw the club go through a major period of turmoil as its dire financial situation saw club legend Lionel Messi depart as a free agent after Barca were unable to re-sign him.

Overall in 67 games in charge, Koeman had a record of 40 wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats. (Based on reports by BBC and Goal)

•PHOTO: Ronald Koeman

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 28, 2021

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