Barcelona sack Quique Setien

Barcelona have relieved manager Quique Setien of his duties, three days after his team suffered an embarrassing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The 61-year-old former Real Betis manager Setien, was signed to replace Ernesto Valverde back in January and took charge for just 25 matches.

Barca finished in the second position in La Liga this season, five points behind League winners, Real Madrid.

The Coach has endured a torrid time at the helms of the Catalan club, with reports of rifts between the club, players and the board always making the headlines.

During his time at the Blaugrana, Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage by Athletic Bilbao. They also lost the El Clasico 2-0 to Real Madrid, who moved above Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

On 16 July 2020, Barca surrendered the La Liga title and ended their 30-game home unbeaten run as Osasuna won them 2-1 at the Nou Camp.

The last straw that broke the horses back was the humiliation suffered in the Champions League. Quique Setien’s side suffered a record 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich as Barca were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

Current Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, who represented the Catalan giants between 1989 and 1995, is rumored to replace Setien at the Nou Camp. Although the club has said that a new coach will be announced: “in the coming days.”

The fans are not happy with the situation of the club, with many people pointing fingers and the Josep Bartomeu-led board. However,  the club also announced that next year’s presidential elections that was originally scheduled for June will be brought forward to 15 March.

There’s also numerous rumours of club captain Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona, as well as rumours of Luis Suarez joining Ajax.

Written by: Collins Nwokolo