Setien to Be Sacked as Barcelona Manager - Bartomeu
Barcelona are set to terminate Quique Setien's contract following Friday's heavy defeat to Bayern Munich
Quique Setien will be relieved of his duties as Barcelona manager before the team regroups for preseason training, according to the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Having signaled radical changes at the club in the aftermath of Friday's devastating 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, Bartomeu told to COPE's Tiempo de Juego on Sunday that "Setien is already out."
LaLiga giants 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.
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 have endured a forgettable 2019-20 season, dethroned by bitter rivals 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.
Bartomeu avoided questions about the possibility of calling presidential elections before 2021, but did confirm there will be a board meeting on Monday.