Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that coach Ronald Koeman had been fired after the club’s defeat by Rayo Vallecano dropped them to ninth place in La Liga.
According to AFP, under Koeman, Barcelona has won only two of their previous seven league games, including Sunday’s Clasico loss to Real Madrid at Camp Nou.
Due to the team’s dismal start to the season, there’s a chance they won’t qualify for the Champions League next season, which would be disastrous for the club’s already precarious financial status.
Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is presently in charge of Al Sadd in Qatar, and River Plate coach Marcel Gallardo are said to be among the candidates for the job.
“The president of the club, Joan Laporta, has informed him after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad this Thursday at the Ciudad Deportiva.
“The FC Barcelona wants to thank him for his services and wishes him good luck in his career.”
