Barcelona coach Quique Setien is on the verge of the sack after president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed his imminent exit on Sunday night.
Bartomeu said after Barca’s humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayer Munich on Friday night that 'decisions would be made' in the coming days and the club chief has called an emergency board meeting for Monday to discuss the plans for his replacement.
No official announcement has been made, but in conversation with COPE journalist Victor Navarro on Sunday night, Bartomeu said: “Setien is out.”
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman and Barca legend Xavi are the three names currently being considered to take over this summer.
In Pictures | Barcelona v Bayern Munich, Champions League | 14/08/2020
Pochettino had been the early frontrunner, but there are doubts from some board members due to his previous negative comments about coaching Barca because of his Espanyol past, even though that stance softened recently.
Koeman, meanwhile, has spent the last few days in Catalonia and is thought to have been in contact with representatives from the club.
The Dutchman now looks to be the favourite after Xavi recently ruled out coaching Barca for the time being, saying now is ‘not the right moment’.
The former midfielder has also signed a new contract with Qatari club Al-Sadd, which takes him up until the end of next season.
Elections at Barca are scheduled for next summer, although the board will discuss the possibility of bringing those forward in Monday’s meeting.