Five candidates to replace Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona manager

Erik ten Hag

Perhaps the name most fans want now following the latest debacle is that of Ajax’s, Erik ten Hag. The biggest reason being how he’s managed to get a team like Ajax so far in this year’s Champions League and because of the style of football he plays. There is the link there with Johan Cruyff and total football and it would be a return to a philosophy that Barcelona have shifted away from starting all the way back to when Luis Enrique took over.

The problem for the Catalan giants is that should they pursue Ten Hag, they won’t be without competition. Bayern Munich are reportedly interest and according to Marca, have identified him as a candidate should they fire their current manager, Niko Kovac.

In a perfect world, he would be the ideal fit to take over at Barcelona. He fits almost every requirement and knows how to take over a club making changes which Barcelona will have to do in terms of moving on from players who are past their best or who have underperformed. With Frenkie de Jong already headed to the Camp Nou next season and with strong rumors the Matthijs de Ligt will follow suit, Ten Hag will have players he’s familiar with and be able to mold the team in his image.

The question then becomes what will it take for Ajax to let him go and for him to want to go. Not many coaches turn down the opportunity to manage Barcelona but Ajax do not want their team to be dismantled. They know they’ll lose a few players but want to keep a core and that would include the manager. Ten Hag is as close to a perfect candidate there is. He has to be the one the board look at first.