By Chima Azu
FC Barcelona have fired their Dutch coach Ronald Koeman few hours after the Catalans lost to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night by a goal to nil away from home.
Koeman was Barca’s head coach for a year and two months and won the Copa Del Rey in his debut season. But his sack didn’t come as a surprise looking at Barca’s results this season. Barca have only scored one away goal this season and have won just two games in their last 5 matches which was not convincing victories. They currently are in 9th position and have not won any away match this campaign.
Koeman was in charge for 67 games, he won 39, lost 16 and drew 12. He was knocked out of the Champions League by PSG last season in the round of 16. These results where not just good enough for a team like Barca and the board felt they’ve had enough and had to let him go.
Now the search for a new coach would begin and the team’s former club legend Xavi Hernandez has been touted to take over the hot seat. However, there are also other coaches that have been rumored to be on Barca’s shortlist for the now vacant position, names like Roberto Martinez, Ten Hag of Ajax and Antonio Conte. It is expected that a new Barca coach would be announced sooner rather than later.
