Playing for 90
Fansided

Barcelona managerial search: 3 Premier League teams are on high alert

By David Gate

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Lionel Messi (2ndL) of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mates Neymar Jr. (L) Andre Gomes (2ndR) and Luis Suarez after scoring from the penalty spot his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on January 26, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Lionel Messi (2ndL) of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mates Neymar Jr. (L) Andre Gomes (2ndR) and Luis Suarez after scoring from the penalty spot his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on January 26, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)
(Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) /

Ronald Koeman – Everton

Barcelona love a coach that has history with the club. Jose Enrique, Pep Guardiola and Frank Rijkaard are three recent managers who were also club legends on the field. Ronald Koeman had enormous success at Barcelona as a player; winning four consecutive La Liga titles and one European Cup (shortly before it became the Champions League). His best playing years were in the red & blue of the Catalonians. That kind of history and connection goes a long way in football.

More from Playing for 90

At this point in his career he would be fortunate to get the opportunity. He had initial success in Holland with Ajax and PSV before a disastrous stint at Valencia where he didn’t even last a whole season. He has slowly rebuilt his reputation with consistent leadership at Feyenoord, Southampton and now Everton. His teams have been marked by tidy organization and neat fluid football.

There has been a tendency in recent years for Barcelona to rely on some magic from their big three forwards rather than the tight systems that Guardiola previously employed. The Dutchman would certainly help them regain some of that efficiency.

It is likely that this opening has come a year or two early for Koeman. He only joined Everton nine months ago and is in no hurry to leave after a promising start to his time with the Toffees. It would be quite the career leap. His scope of achievement would jump from trying to qualify for the Europa League with the Blues to challenging for every major honor and managing the best forward line in world football! Is there any way he could pass on that? Or any way that Everton could keep him? I just can’t see how.

Home/FC Barcelona