Barcelona sack coach Setien following Bayern drubbing, call elections

Barcelona have sacked coach Quique Setien and introduced presidential elections ahead to March 2021, the membership stated on Monday, three days after the Spanish facet have been hammered 8-2 by Bayern Munich within the Champions League quarter-finals. Setien, 61, was appointed in January after the membership sacked two-time league winner Ernesto Valverde regardless of his facet sitting prime of the La Liga standings on purpose distinction.

But after Barca have been condemned to their heaviest defeat in European competitors on Friday, Setien was additionally sacked after solely seven months in cost, after overseeing the membership’s first trophy-less season in 12 years.

Barca completed second in La Liga behind champions Real Madrid and have been knocked out of the Copa del Rey on the quarter-final stage by Athletic Bilbao.

“This is the first decision within a wider restructuring of the first team which will be agreed between the current technical secretary and the new coach, who will be announced in the coming days,” added Barca’s assertion on Setien.

According to widespread Spanish media studies, Netherlands coach and former Barca defender Ronald Koeman is about to be named as Setien’s successor.

The assertion, which was launched greater than 9 hours after president Josep Maria Bartomeu and administrators had begun a board assembly, additionally stated the membership’s hierarchy had determined in opposition to calling an election imminently within the wake of the Bayern defeat, as many followers and influential voices had demanded.

“The board understand that an immediate call for elections is not feasible, given that the league season will begin on the weekend of September 12, 2020, and the situation arising from the COVID-19 crisis – both economically and socially,” added the assertion.

“Consequently, the club will continue to implement the plan to reverse the sporting and economic situation, based on profound changes to the first team, plus a redefined budget to deal with the new situation caused by COVID-19, before the end of the current mandate.”

As at Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna, Barcelona presidents are voted for by membership members.

Bartomeu gained the final election, held in 2015, however is barred from operating within the subsequent spherical of elections as he has already served two consecutive mandates, having been named president in 2014 after the resignation of Sandro Rosell.

Victor Font is the front-runner for the election, whereas former president Joan Laporta has additionally declared his intention to run.