8 potential replacements for Quique Setien at Barcelona

RONALD KOEMAN

The current Netherland national team coach, Ronald Koeman, was once an assistant coach under former Barca boss, Louis Van Gaal. He has the potential to be a success at Camp Nou like former players turned coaches, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. Lionel Messi has previously displayed his desire of wanting Koeman’s arrival before he retires.

Unfortunately for Messi, Koeman is under contract with the Dutch national team until 2022 but AS has reported that there is a special clause in his contract that allows him to leave his current role in 2021 (after the EURO 2020) in order to coach another. The special condition in the clause is that he is only allowed to leave for one club, FC Barcelona. The La Liga champions can either give Setien another season or sign a temporary replacement to eventually have Koeman in 2021.

MARCELO GALLARDO

Marcelo signed a new contract with his current employers, Argentina’s River Plate, that extends his stay until 2021 but the coach had previously been heavily linked to take over former coach, Ernesto Valverde.

Gallardo found major success in Argentina after taking over former River Plate coach, Ramon Diaz, in 2014. Diaz was considered the most successful coach in the history of River Plate, but Gallardo surpassed his success within five years. His strongest attribute has been identifying great youth talent as he is responsible for promoting some of the best Argentine talents in recent years. His addition could mean many La Masia graduates like Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati, finding more minutes with the first-team.