Mauricio Pochettino Well and Truly in the Frame for Barcelona Job

The s---storm that is Barcelona continues to whirl through the air, as the failings of a club well in the making for a few years now have hit, as Gerard Pique acknowledged, 'rock bottom'.

Their 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich was the lowest point that the most of the club's fans will ever have seen. To lose is one thing, to be crushed in the palm of someone's hand is another.

It's left Quique Setien's role as manager on the brink. If anything, it's a surprise he's still there now.

Change is surely needed from top to bottom, but the immediate talks has centred around who next will be sat in the cursed dugout. One name who's cropped up is the available Mauricio Pochettino, someone who the Guardian claim is the 'prime candidate' to take over as Setien prepares to be sacked on Monday.

Pochettino sat down with Barça president Josep Bartomeu recently to discuss the role, one which has an air of controversy about it given the Argentinian has previously claimed he'd rather 'work on a farm' than manage the club, due to his prior affiliation with rivals Espanyol. He has, however, distanced himself from those comments of late.

AS are less convinced by the English press' view on the matter. They claim that while Pochettino may have some (precious few) admirers at Camp Nou, the vast majority are heavily opposed to the idea. Former managers, senior officials and members of the general workforce do not agree with appointing someone with previous ties to Espanyol, and that his comments can't be overlooked.

The viewpoint is classed as 'unanimous'. Should Bartomeu opt to take that route, a mutiny, of sorts, is mooted.

Of course, the players themselves are also seeking change. While Pique made it very clear that a major structural reshuffle needs to occur. The players want an election to be called for senior positions, with the Spanish defender even offering to depart the club to help forge a new path. Lionel Messi is equally distressed, as the same paper reports that if no election takes place then he will not renew his contract in 2021.

Change is also demanded in the dugout, with the same name lingering on the players' lips. That is, of course, Xavi. A figure who is seen to be able to band the club together is who the squad want brought in. Yet, it's also been made clear that Xavi has no intention of taking the reins with the current setup in place.


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Source : 90min