Official: Ronald Koeman sacked as Barcelona manager
The Ronald Koeman era is over as Barcelona has announced that the Dutchman has been sacked as first-team head coach following Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
A club statement released on Wednesday read:
“FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach. The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.”
“FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”
Koeman leaves after 14 months in charge with a record of 39 wins, 12 draws and 16 losses in his 67 games as manager.
Koeman won the 2021 Copa del Rey and finished third in La Liga last season, and Barça were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16.
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After rumours that he was going to depart in summer once Joan Laporta was elected president, Koeman surprisingly stuck around and led Barça to an unbeaten start to the league season after six games.
But after a pair of 3-0 losses to Bayern Munich and Benfica and just 15 points from the first 10 games in La Liga, including a loss at home to Real Madrid in El Clásico followed by a terrible display away to newly-promoted Rayo, the Dutchman was no longer capable of keeping his job.
Barça will now begin the search for a new manager, and the favourite to take the position is club legend Xavi Hernández who is reportedly ready to accept an offer to leave his current job at Qatar’s Al-Sadd immediately.
Other names such as Antonio Conte, Ajax’s Erik Ten Hag and Belgium manager Roberto Martínez have also been mentioned, and we should expect the new coach to be announced within the next few days.
