It finally happened.
Late wednesday night or early Thursday morning (for fans in different time zones), Barcelona announced the dismissal of Ronald Koeman.
Even after the Dutchman lost 1-0 to Vallecano, it was the worst secret kept in football. Before he was given the marching order, Barca had been struggling to find a replacement.
Barcelona's manager is still a favourite in world football, and it's very hard to put together ten hypothetical front-runners to rank by the likelihood of succeeding Koeman.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="5" >10</h1>
Klopp's contract with Liverpool won't expire until 2024, and the price of the buyout is not cheap. It's no secret that money is an issue at Camp Nou now, especially at Liverpool where he has become a god-like figure.
Probability: 0/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="9" >9</h1>
Like Klopp, Conte is exactly the kind of talent a Barcelona manager should be able to attract, but that's not the case...
Conte may not have a club right now, but he is still unlikely to want to take on a job as challenging as Barca (rumored to have favoured Manchester United more) and has turned down Tottenham, despite their faults, they are not saddled with a €1 billion debt.
Probability: 1/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="12" >8</h1>
The 45-year-old Argentine has had great success in South America, winning two Copa Libertadores' Cups in River Plate and for some time a candidate for top european posts.
Although the contract will expire at the end of the year, there are reports that he intends to fulfill the contract and has already rejected Barca's advance payment.
If he does not agree to a contract extension, whether Barcelona will wait in the new year and try again is another matter.
Probability: 2/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="15" >7</h1>
Without you knowing it, Torrent was one of Guardiola's chief deputies during his glory years at Barcelona and followed him to Bayern and Manchester City. As head coach, he had a reasonable time at FC New York City, but left after a season, and after just 26 games in charge, he was fired by Flamengo in 2020.
Likelihood: 3/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="18" >6</h1>
Traditionally, promoting the B team manager has paid off for Barcelona, and if Barca love one thing, it's sticking to the traditions that have benefited them in the past.
Promoting Sergi, who just took over team B in June, looks too much, regardless of its cost-effectiveness.
The former left-back does have barca DNA – whether it's still worth it – and has made almost 400 appearances for the club in the '90s and '00s and has worked as a coach at all youth levels.
Likelihood: 4/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="21" >5</h1>
Like Gallardo, Tenhag is one of the hottest coaches outside of Europe's top five leagues, having coached for a time at the dominant Ajax in the country and also performing the Ajax miracle in the Champions League final's Lucas Mora hat-trick. His Ajax link is naturally an added bonus to Barca's rumors, but he also seems to exclude himself from the game – though not as convincing as others.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="24" >4</h1>
A former Dutch Barcelona star who has switched to coaching?!
However, while Van Bronckhorst was successful early in Feyenoord, winning the Eredivisie in 2017, his management career has stalled and he has been unemployed since his resignation from Guangzhou R&F in December 2020.
Despite his recent lack of notable professional achievement, there are signs that the former left-back is a name under consideration.
Likelihood: 6/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="27" >3</h1>
Former Juve and Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo exudes a cool vibe, but may not be a traditional coach with managerial stability.
His season as manager so far has coincided with Juventus losing their low-hanging in serie A title for the first time in about a thousand years.
While he could only finish fourth at Juve, Pirlo's status as a budding coach is still staggering, and he can count Joan Laporta as an admirer – perhaps because he has previously cited John Cruyff's Barcelona as a source of inspiration.
Likelihood: 6.5/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="30" >2</h1>
For a team as messy as Barcelona, the manager of FIFA's number one men's team should be impossible, but maybe not.
There is a sense that Martinez's Belgium is past its peak, and the 48-year-old Catalan has a close relationship with Jodi Cruyff (John's son and now Laporta's special adviser).
The man who brought Wigan to FA Cup glory has made an incredible commitment to his national team duties due to a speculative bubble. "No contact with Barcelona. I want to fulfill my contract, but a lot can happen along the way," he told Belgian media.
If appointed, Martinez would continue the strange pattern of former Everton boss at Camp Nou and give hope to Barca in the future at the helm of Sam Allardis.
Likelihood: 7/10
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="33" >1</h1>
Must not fail to consider the name.
Javi Hernandez will coach Barcelona one day, but when?
Currently the head coach of Qatari side Al Sad, his contract is said to have a special "Barcelona clause" that allows him to make choices at certain specific moments.
Some people with ties to Barcelona are actively trying to persuade Xavi to "go home". However, given that Harvey seems so close to his rival Victor Fonte in this year's election, "President" Laporta may still need a bit of convincing.
If this obstacle can be overcome, then it seems that now is the time for Xavi, unless he decides to wait for a more stable time to start his European coaching career...
Probability: 8.5/10