Who will replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona? Sampaoli the leader among top candidates
Barcelona is on the market for a new coach and there are three strong candidates that really jump out
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3 min read
Barcelona picked up three vital points in the La Liga title race with a win over Sporting Gijon on Wednesday but it lost its coach. Luis Enrique, who guided Barca to the treble in 2014, surprisingly announced he would be leaving this summer when his contract expires.
That means Barca is on the market for a new coach to lead them into the future, and there are plenty of names that make sense. Here are a handful.
The heavy favorite: Jorge Sampaoli (Sevilla)
Connection to club
None, really. He is from Argentina and is familiar with Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano, but that is really it.
Why a move to Barcelona makes sense
He has been looked at as a potential future manager at Barca (and Argentina) due to the fantastic job he has done in his first year at Sevilla. He has the team in contention in La Liga and on the brink of the Champions League quarterfinals. Plus he has had success everywhere he has gone as of late. He did very well at Universidad de Chile and guided the Chilean national team to Copa America glory in 2015 for the first time in its history.
Odds this happens
We’ll leave it at 60 percent. There is no doubt he is the heavy favorite, but would he leave Sevilla after one year?
A quality candidate: Laurent Blanc
Connection to club
He was a defender at the club in the 90s and is a well-respected manager. He guided Bordeaux to the Ligue 1 title in 2008-09 and led Paris St. Germain’s dominant run from 2013-15 when it won 11 trophies.
Why a move to Barcelona makes sense
He is out of a job and can hold talks right away. He also has done a great job in scouting top talent, while still having a relationship with many PSG players that could be targets for Barca, like Marquinhos.
Odds this happens
Let’s mark it at 10 percent. It is a long shot, but Barca would be wise to look at him. His teams are organized and exciting.
Dark horse: Ronald Koeman (Everton)
Connection to club
The Dutchman was an assistant at Barcelona in the past and played there from 1989-95. He also coached Spanish club Valencia, guiding it to the 2008 Copa del Rey crown.
Why a move to Barcelona makes sense
I’m not quite sure it does, but he will be linked. He is looked at as one of those managers with ability but always seems to give underwhelming results. Even though he won the Copa del Rey with Valencia, he is considered a disaster. The only thing he has won since that cup title in Spain was the Johan Cruyff Shield in 2009. He was failed to bring trophies to Feyenoord, Southampton and Everton.
Odds this happens
Five percent.
Long, long, long shot: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Connection to club
Coached the club from 2008-12, winning two Champions League titles and La Liga three times. He is looked at as the best manager in Barcelona history.
Why it makes sense
It doesn’t. He left, like Enrique, because he was burnt out. Why would he go back? He has a mega contract at Manchester City and is in a good situation there. He isn’t leaving.
Chances I think it happens
Zero.
Honorable mentions
AS in Spain has thrown the name of Ernesto Valverde out there. The Athletic Bilbao manager is known as one of the better bosses in Spain, but he is certainly a long shot.
Also keep an eye on Unai Emery of PSG. He has coached Almeria, Valencia and Sevilla in Spain and destroyed Barca 4-0 with PSG last month in the first leg of the round of 16 play in the Champions League. He is in his first year in charge of the Parisian club, so leaving after one year doesn’t seem likely, but the lure of coaching a prestigious club like Barca could be enough to convince him to change clubs.
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