Quique Setien’s days as Barcelona coach are numbered. The decision to sack him has been taken by president Josep Maria Bartomeu and a substitute is already being sought. Mauricio Pochettino is the best placed to take over.
Setien’s time is up after the 8-2 humiliation versus Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Friday. The club admits it makes no sense to keep him on and all that remains is to make it official.
The club have still not informed the decision to Setien but sources at the club assure that “being a football man he already knows what’s going to happen.”
Bartomeu wants to finalize Setien’s dismissal in the next couple days.
On Saturday, the club contacted his agent to negotiate the terms of his sacking. Remember he has one more year on his deal with the option for another year.
As for his replacement, the out of work Pochettino is the early favorite. He has not had a club since leaving Tottenham at the end of 2019.
Bartomeu feels he’s the best prepared for the change of cycle Barça need. In fact, he wanted to appoint him in January but at the end sporting director Eric Abdial’s opinion led to the hiring of Setien.
Pochettino would also count on the blessing of his fellow countryman Lionel Messi. Pochettino would like to sign a long-term contract but at the moment a one year plus one year contract is on the table due to the change of president next summer.
In addition to Pochettino, Ronald Koeman (Netherlands coach), Massimiliano Allegri (ex-Juventus, now out of work) and Thierry Henry (Montreal Impact coach) are options. Ex-player Xavi Hernández is ruled out because he doesn’t want to come at the moment.
In addition to Setien, sporting director Abidal could also lose his job in the coming days.
