Barcelona's domestic and continental difficulties this season look to be bringing a close to Luis Enrique's time as manager at the Camp Nou and the Spanish champions already appear to have a replacement lined up.
The Barca hierarchy will again target a former player for the role, with Everton boss Ronald Koeman a surprising candidate for the job.
Koeman experienced a great deal of success during his time in Catalonia in the early '90s, winning four consecutive La Liga titles as part of Johan Cruyff's legendary 'Dream Team', as well as scoring the winner in the 1992 European Cup final, delivering Barca their first taste of success in the tournament.
Advert
Could Ronald Koeman soon be leaving Everton behind to put this lot through their paces?
Credit: FC Barcelona
The Toffees' manager played 264 times for Barca during his six years with the club, scoring 88 goals in the process which, for a player who primarily operated as a defender/defensive midfielder, is seriously fucking impressive.
Koeman's managerial career, however, has proven to be more of a mixed bag than his playing career, with Eredivisie success at Ajax and PSV Eindhoven coupled with difficult spells at Benfica, Valencia and AZ Alkmaar. Of course, 'Tintin' would achieve a decent amount of success during his spell in charge of Southampton, leading the Saints to their highest ever Premier League finish (sixth), last year before departing for Goodison Park.
Advert
Everton are currently sitting in seventh place in the Premier League and face an uphill task of breaking into the Europa League places, trailing sixth placed Manchester United by seven points.
It is believed that, following Barcelona's humbling 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, which has all but confirmed their elimination from this year's Champions League, has almost sealed Enrique's fate, with Barca also a point behind leaders Real Madrid who also have two games in hand over their El Clasico rivals.
Barca's horror show on Tuesday night has put Enrique on the brink of a Camp Nou exit. Image: PA
Advert
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked with the job, although the Argentinean has confirmed that he is happy at White Hart Lane and has no intention of leaving North London any time soon.
(H/T Dream Team FC)
Topics: Football, Barcelona, Everton FC, Ronald Koeman