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Barcelona and Lionel Messi shortlist four replacements for Quique Setien

By Atharva Khadilkar

VALENCIA, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Quique Setien, head coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the Spanish League, La Liga, football match played between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Mestalla Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Maria J. S. / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Quique Setien, head coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the Spanish League, La Liga, football match played between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Mestalla Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Maria J. S. / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona may change another manager after poor results.

Barcelona face Napoli next week in their Champions League round of 16 clash at the Camp Nou. The Catalans are heading into the fixture with an away goal to their name thanks to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo in February. However, their recent form suggests that the Italian outfit may be able to overturn the odds.

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Quique Setien is set to stay on at the helm until the European Cup ends but failure in taking the Blaugrana a step further may cost him the job within seven months. The former Real Betis manager was given a show of support by Josep Maria Bartomeu some weeks ago, but the senior players are not too happy with the gaffer.

Diario GOL has reported that the club, in accordance with the wishes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique, the most respected players in the dressing room, has shortlisted four players to replace the 61-year-old. Setien is likely in his final days as Barca head coach as winning the Champions League seems like a distant fantasy for this squad.

Four replacements have been narrowed upon.

Xavi is undoubtedly the first name on the lips of everyone at the club. The former Spain international is coaching Al Sadd and extended his contract very recently. Xavi is not keen on joining Barcelona with the current board overlooking things and he is happy to wait another year, when Joan Laporta or Victor Font may be taking over.

An alternative to Xavi has been seen in Ronald Koeman. The former defender has been successful in his spells with Everton and most lately with the Netherlands national side. A clause in his contract meant that he could exit the Dutch side after the Euro 2020, but the tournament’s postponement has pushed the term by another year, understandably so.

While him being released from the Netherlands setup is in itself an issue, the Barcelona players are not too impressed with his credentials. His record with silverware isn’t splendid enough and he is believed to be a soft-spoken voice which may not be the best of characteristics that an arguably divided dressing room needs right now.

Josep Maria Bartomeu’s third option is Patrick Kluivert. The 44-year-old was recently appointed the academy director in Catalonia and an upgrade to the senior setup has not been entirely ruled out. However, with the current situation in mind, Kluivert isn’t the best of options and a manager with little experience could also be a better option.

Finally, the list is rounded off by Javier Pimienta, the Barca B head coach who has recently signed a contract extension. Similar to what a lot of clubs lately have done, the idea of promoting him from a youth team to the first-team is being contemplated. Pimienta recently extended his contract and was being touted as an interim coach even earlier.

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Who do you think will be the Barcelona coach heading into 2020/21?

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