Revealed: Barcelona's 'dream' head coach
Martin Macdonald
- 27 Oct 2021 10:58 BST
- 4 min read
Barcelona are current at a low ebb both on and off the pitch, with finances at a catastrophic level and the team failing to meet expectations under head coach Ronald Koeman.
The financial situation at the club meant that they were unable to retain the services of legendary player Lionel Messi on a new contract in the summer, and it is clear the supreme performances of the Argentine were papering over a number of cracks.
Though there is some cause for optimism due to the emergence of youngsters like Pedri, Gavi and Nico, there is a general feeling that Barcelona are in a transitional period.
After the opening nine matches of the new La Liga campaign, they are down in ninth, with just four wins so far.
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At the weekend, they lost 2-1 at home in the Clasico against Real Madrid.
A revolution will need to happen sooner or later, and if the club had their way, there would be one man ready to lead it - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The German has become one of the best coaches in the world over the past decade, guiding Liverpool not only to a Champions League victory, but their first ever Premier League title.
He is undoubtedly one of the main reasons that Liverpool are now a powerhouse again both domestically and in Europe.
Klopp has a contract at Liverpool until 2024, and when asked if he would extend this deal back in August, he told Bild: “There’s no point in saying anything about that because it’s still so long away.
“How am I supposed to know what’s going to happen in three years’ time? Most people don’t even know where they’ll be in two, three weeks.”
Barcelona believe Klopp fits the bill as a tactician, motivator and a leader to guide the club back to glory.
However, there are slim chances of the German taking over anytime soon, both due to his commitments to Liverpool as well as his previous comments saying he will take a year away from the game.
Koeman's Barcelona future
Koeman is not a popular figure at Barcelona due to the team's performances over the past 12 months, but he currently has the backing of the board for the moment.
The Dutchman has a contract at Camp Nou until the summer of 2022 and, according to Spanish outlet Sport, he could be kept on as a transitional coach through this tough campaign.
Though the Barcelona board have not ruled out sacking Koeman, they believe he is good enough to get them into the Champions League which remains lowly objective this season as any La Liga victory seems out of reach.
Once club finances are in a better position, Barca will seek to appoint a new boss and give them funds to try and improve the squad - funds which Koeman has not been given in his tenure so far.
This past summer the club were shopping in the free transfer market and brought in Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia as free agents.
Xavi remains an option to take over, but club president Joan Laporta has said previously he wants the former Barca star to gain more experience as a coach before taking the big job.
