Barcelona Sacks Quique Setien As Coach; Shortlists Thierry Henry, Others |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

The sack of Coach Quique Setien was expected, after the 8-2 annihilation of Spanish top Club, Barcelona Football Club by Bayern Munich Football Club in the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals.

Barcelona President, Josep Bartomeu, confirmed the sacking of Head Coach, Setien, following the club finishing the season without winning any major trophies.

With Lionel Messi reportedly threatening to quit the club,  Setien was axed following a meeting of the Barcelona board.

Club President Bartomeu, met with Director of Football Eric Abidal and fellow Chief, Ramon Planes, late on Sunday night and confirmed to reporters afterwards Setien was ‘out’.

An official announcement is expected on Monday, with Barcelona scheduling a press conference in the afternoon.

Setien was only appointed in January to replace Ernesto Valverde, but fared little better than his sacked predecessor as Real Madrid beat Barcelona to the La Liga title.

However, Barcelona are considering their former striker, Thierry Henry, as a replacement for the outgoing Quique Setien.

The former striker is currently the coach of Major League Soccer side, Montreal Impact Football Club, which he has guided to just one victory in his six games in charge.

The Frenchman previously was Assistant Coach to Roberto Martinez at Belgium, before taking his first managerial job at Monaco, whom he tasted victory with just four times across 20 games, before being dismissed in January 2020.

Henry scored 49 goals for the Blaugrana across three seasons, and is now on their managerial shortlist, which is said to include former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman, current coach of the Netherlands.

Massimiliano Allegri (formerly of Milan and Juventus) and Mauricio Pochettino are also said to be on the shortlist, but Xavi Hernandez is not, as he has no interest in taking on the role at present.

It is reported that Barcelona will initiate contacts with representatives of Henry, Pochettino, Allegri and Koeman this weekend, as they look to refine their shortlist.

Former Everton boss Koeman is thought to be the front-runner as a former Barcelona player and a manager with a lot of experience.

The news of Setien’s dismissal comes hot on the heels of reports Messi is ready to call time on his incredible career at Barcelona.

Messi has told the board he wants to leave unless there is significant changes made.

While Messi has demanded action, Barcelona have put almost the entirety of their squad up for sale following the defeat to Bayern.

The presidential elections are scheduled in 2021, but may be held this year amid calls for Bartomeu to step down.