Ronald Koeman sacked by Barcelona after 14 months in charge with club ninth in La Liga after just four wins from 10 games; Koeman replaced Quique Setien at the Nou Camp in August 2020; he won Copa del Rey in his first season.
were and Sunday's defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico - their fourth straight Clasico loss - was a stark reminder of that.
"Koeman was brought in at the end of one of Barcelona's most successful eras and he was handed the unenviable task of trying to steer the Catalan giants through unchartered waters as they looked to move on from talisman Lionel Messi.
"It was a tough job, especially with the off-field issues hampering the club, but it proved too big a job for the Dutchman as he leaves with Barcelona languishing in ninth in La Liga.
"Koeman, speaking in the press after his third straight defeat at the hands of Real Madrid - believed his team were improving, but it was difficult to see how. They were second best against Real on Sunday and it was plain to see in what was a not so classic Clasico performance from Barcelona.
"Another defeat, this time at the hands of Rayo Vallecano, proved a step too far for the powers at be at the Nou Camp as they finally relieved the former Everton boss of his duties."
were and Sunday's defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico - their fourth straight Clasico loss - was a stark reminder of that.
"Koeman was brought in at the end of one of Barcelona's most successful eras and he was handed the unenviable task of trying to steer the Catalan giants through unchartered waters as they looked to move on from talisman Lionel Messi.
"It was a tough job, especially with the off-field issues hampering the club, but it proved too big a job for the Dutchman as he leaves with Barcelona languishing in ninth in La Liga.
"Koeman, speaking in the press after his third straight defeat at the hands of Real Madrid - believed his team were improving, but it was difficult to see how. They were second best against Real on Sunday and it was plain to see in what was a not so classic Clasico performance from Barcelona.
"Another defeat, this time at the hands of Rayo Vallecano, proved a step too far for the powers at be at the Nou Camp as they finally relieved the former Everton boss of his duties."
What went wrong? And who next?
Koeman, who spent six years with Barca as a player, was brought back to the club in August 2020 by former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
New chief Joan Laporta, however, frequently made it clear that the Dutchman was not his appointment.
The duo had an uneasy relationship, with Koeman last month releasing a statement calling for him to be given time to rebuild after losing Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in the transfer window.
However, that wish was not granted and the club will now seek a replacement for the 58-year-old.
Local media reports suggest that former midfielder Xavi, who is currently in charge of Al Sadd in Qatar, River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo and Belgium coach Roberto Martinez are the front runners for the role.
Roberto Martinez is one of the frontrunners to replace Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp
La Liga TV presenter Semra Hunter told Sky Sports:
"Xavi Hernandez, a club legend, has expressed in public that he would one day like to manage Barcelona and that he's willing and ready to come home as soon as he gets the call.
"He'd be happy to come back and take the job, but as of yet nothing has been said regarding any contact.
"If Barcelona want to compete with the elite, then they perhaps do need to bring somebody else in. In 10 games against some of the biggest clubs around - Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich for example in the Champions League - they only won one with Koeman in charge.
"There's a big gap behind some of those leading clubs that needs to be closed. The games have shown that Koeman maybe isn't the right man for the job. It might just be that he's the right man but just not at the right time."
Sport lead with 'Powerless' while Mundo Deportivo's headline runs 'No Punch'
Koeman, who spent six years with Barca as a player, was brought back to the club in August 2020 by former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
New chief Joan Laporta, however, frequently made it clear that the Dutchman was not his appointment.
The duo had an uneasy relationship, with Koeman last month releasing a statement calling for him to be given time to rebuild after losing Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in the transfer window.
However, that wish was not granted and the club will now seek a replacement for the 58-year-old.
Local media reports suggest that former midfielder Xavi, who is currently in charge of Al Sadd in Qatar, River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo and Belgium coach Roberto Martinez are the front runners for the role.
Roberto Martinez is one of the frontrunners to replace Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp
La Liga TV presenter Semra Hunter told Sky Sports:
"Xavi Hernandez, a club legend, has expressed in public that he would one day like to manage Barcelona and that he's willing and ready to come home as soon as he gets the call.
"He'd be happy to come back and take the job, but as of yet nothing has been said regarding any contact.
"If Barcelona want to compete with the elite, then they perhaps do need to bring somebody else in. In 10 games against some of the biggest clubs around - Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich for example in the Champions League - they only won one with Koeman in charge.
"There's a big gap behind some of those leading clubs that needs to be closed. The games have shown that Koeman maybe isn't the right man for the job. It might just be that he's the right man but just not at the right time."
Sport lead with 'Powerless' while Mundo Deportivo's headline runs 'No Punch'
Koeman's final interview
After the 1-0 loss to Rayo, Koeman said: "In the first 15 minutes, we had problems to get into the game. They pressed us well but after that I think we controlled the game on a small pitch against a team that runs a lot and presses hard. We had good chances but we didn't finish them.
"Today we lost the match not because of our attitude, not because of the way we played because I don't think there are other teams that had so many chances against them, therefore the issue is that we didn't score and I can't say anything else.
"It may be we are unlucky. It may be that we have injured players, but these are excuses because the team showed today and showed in the game against (Real) Madrid that we are at a good level. But being at a good level is not enough. What counts in the end is always the result and we lost the last two games. Everyone has to analyse their matches and I try to analyse today's game - it's incredible we lost.
"In the last few years our rivals, the best teams, were strengthened each season, while we couldn't do it. And this is something that also counts - not in today's game because in today's game the injuries had a huge part. I think we played a good game, even if you shouldn't talk about 'good games' when you don't score."
After the 1-0 loss to Rayo, Koeman said: "In the first 15 minutes, we had problems to get into the game. They pressed us well but after that I think we controlled the game on a small pitch against a team that runs a lot and presses hard. We had good chances but we didn't finish them.
"Today we lost the match not because of our attitude, not because of the way we played because I don't think there are other teams that had so many chances against them, therefore the issue is that we didn't score and I can't say anything else.
"It may be we are unlucky. It may be that we have injured players, but these are excuses because the team showed today and showed in the game against (Real) Madrid that we are at a good level. But being at a good level is not enough. What counts in the end is always the result and we lost the last two games. Everyone has to analyse their matches and I try to analyse today's game - it's incredible we lost.
"In the last few years our rivals, the best teams, were strengthened each season, while we couldn't do it. And this is something that also counts - not in today's game because in today's game the injuries had a huge part. I think we played a good game, even if you shouldn't talk about 'good games' when you don't score."
Barcelona's next six fixtures
October 30: Alaves (H) - La Liga, 8pm
November 2: Dynamo Kiev (A) - Champions League, 8pm
November 6: Celta Vigo (A) - La Liga, 3.15pm
November 20: Espanyol (H) - La Liga, 8pm
November 23: Benfica (H) - Champions League, 8pm
November 28: Villarreal (A) - La Liga, TBD
October 30: Alaves (H) - La Liga, 8pm
November 2: Dynamo Kiev (A) - Champions League, 8pm
November 6: Celta Vigo (A) - La Liga, 3.15pm
November 20: Espanyol (H) - La Liga, 8pm
November 23: Benfica (H) - Champions League, 8pm
November 28: Villarreal (A) - La Liga, TBD
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