There has already been an unprecedented flurry of changes in management across European football since the sand in the hourglass stopped trickling at end of the season – with Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and more clubs all seeing their managers file out of the door.
Barcelona are now rumored to join the queue with the latest claims being made by Sky Italia’s Angelo Mangiante via Twitter that Camp Nou could potentially as soon as tomorrow be seeing a fresh face in the dugout.
Blaugrana boss Ronald Koeman not only failed to deliver the La Liga crown, but was also inadequate in mounting a decent challenge for the Champions League, clearly exposing his lack of tactical nous and his apparent weakness in preparing for the crunch games where victory is not an option but a necessity. However, that said and all things considered, in a transition season for Barca, he did as well as could have been expected, not being a miracle worker like Pep Guardiola.
Nonetheless, plaudits and excuses aside, football is an unforgiving game, and Sky Italia’s Angelo Mangiante reports that Koeman may soon be handed his marching orders, with club legend Xavi again being touted up to take the job.
For a management novice, Xavi has done an excellent job with Qatari outfit Al Sadd, which of course can’t in any way be compared to managing a massive club like Barcelona – something that he himself is probably well aware of, having spent 24 years at the club. However with time fast running out for the Blaugrana, Laporta and his board may well have to bite the bullet and settle for their former captain as Koeman has clearly run out of rabbits to pull out of his hat.
Koeman would definitely feel aggrieved for not being given another season to continue his project, but ultimately, if you are not able to deliver the biggest prizes at a club like Barcelona, you’re clearly living on borrowed time – which in competitive football is one of the most highly-priced commodities.