Barcelona sacks Setien after UCL humiliation
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Quique Setien "is out", confirming the sacking of the under-fire head coach after the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Barca has been tipped to sack Setien after Saturday's (AEST) humiliating 8-2 UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.
LaLiga giant Barca conceded eight goals in a game for the first time since 1946, with Setien – who replaced Ernesto Valverde in January – accepting his future was out of his hands at Camp Nou.
With Barca reportedly poised to officially announce the 61-year-old's departure, Bartomeu said: "Setien is out".
It comes as former defender Ronald Koeman emerges as the frontrunner to become the next Barca coach.
Netherlands boss Koeman had been linked to Barca after Valverde was sacked, before the beleaguered Spanish powerhouse eventually turned to Setien.
Koeman previously revealed his Netherlands contract contains a clause that allows him to depart for Camp Nou following Euro 2020, though the European Championship has been pushed back 12 months due to coronavirus.
In June, Koeman – who won four LaLiga titles and the European Cup/Champions League during his time at Camp Nou – told Catalunya Radio: "Everyone knows it's my dream to coach Barca".
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has also emerged as a possible option, along with club great Xavi and ex-Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Barca has endured a forgettable 2019-2020 season, dethroned by bitter rival Real Madrid in LaLiga after the campaign was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The club also lost in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and Supercopa de Espana semi-finals as Barca ended the season trophy-less.
Barca's on- and off-field woes have also prompted renewed speculation over Lionel Messi's future, with the superstar captain reportedly ready to quit the team amid ongoing links to Serie A side Inter and Premier League giants Manchester City.