Barcelona sack Ronald Koeman after Rayo Vallecano defeat

Ronald Koeman has eventually lost his job as manager of FC Barcelona. His sack came after the side’s midweek defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

Big clubs aren’t big on long term stability and building for the future. In modern-day football, that is a mantra for the lazy and unambitious. The biggest clubs in the world want to win and keep winning. It is the reason they have little patience for managers who fail to deliver.

Real Madrid is notorious for its impatience with unsuccessful managers. History has always proved them right. Chelsea is another club whose success has followed the Real Madrid pattern. They recently fired club legend Frank Lampard, which became the ladder for their Champions League triumph.

Ronald Koeman sacked

Ronald Koeman has been operating under the swinging sword of Damocles as everyone knew it wasn’t about if, but when.

After a spate of poor performances and bad results, Barcelona decided to wield the big stick and relieve club legend and manager Ronald Koeman of his duties. The sack came after Wednesday’s night defeat at the hands of Rayo Vallecano.

After the loss, Joan Laporta felt he had seen enough and brought down the hammer on Koeman’s Barca managerial career hours after the game. It was announced on the club’s official website.

It had been a running battle between the Dutchman and Laporta, who did not see Koeman as the right man to take Barcelona forward. It culminated in a faceoff between manager and president. The spat between the two was eventually doused, but it was evident that it was just the silence before the sword came down. Laporta has swung the blade, and Koeman’s head is off.

Laporta wants Xavi as Koeman’s replacement

The Vallecano loss left Barcelona in ninth place with four wins from their opening ten league games. In the Champions League, they have not fared any better with just a win from three matches.

According to Goal, the current Al Sadd manager Xavi has been offered Koeman’s job. Xavi had turned down the opportunity to take up the job in the past, but it seems he is now prepared to take over from Koeman.

As it stands, bookmakers have the Barcelona legend as the favourite to be handed the job.

The Spaniard has an exit clause in his Al Sadd contract with Barcelona willing to pay the fee to bring Xavi back to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona have been through a torrid time this season, with off the pitch upheavals constituting a distraction to the team.

Several losses, including an El Clasico defeat at the weekend, forced Laporta’s hand despite supporting the Dutchman against his will.

Koeman oversaw 67 games in charge of Barca, securing 40 wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats. He will leave the club immediately, with the club waiting on Xavi.