Published: September 30, 2021 8:04 pm
Last Updated: September 30, 2021 8:10 pm
A fresh insight into the possibility of Andrea Pirlo replacing Ronald Koeman on the bench at La Liga giants Barcelona has been forthcoming on Thursday.
Benfica drubbing
The subject of Koeman’s future at the Camp Nou has of course come back to the fore in a major way over the course of the last 24 hours.
This comes after one of the darkest days in the recent history of FC Barcelona played out on Wednesday.
The Blaugrana, fresh off the back of a morale-boosting downing of Levante at the weekend, made the trip to Portugal, for a Champions League group stage meeting with Benfica.
Koeman and co. headed into proceedings aware that a positive result was an absolute must, on the back of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in their group E opener.
When all was said and done at the Estadio da Luz, however, an alarming display saw Barca, once again, slip to a 3-0 drubbing.
Darwin Nunez’s brace, either side of a 2nd-half Rafa Silva effort, ultimately culminated in another embarrassing night on the continent for one of European football’s most historic clubs.
Benfica lead against Barcelona after just three minutes! 😳
Darwin Nunez cuts inside and fires beyond Ter Stegen! 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/mFlHhqv85j
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 29, 2021
Koeman out/Pirlo in?
In turn, with Barcelona sitting 6th in the La Liga table, and now looking well on their way towards a group stage exit from the Champions League, it should come as little surprise to hear that those in a position of power in Catalunya have begun efforts to shake things up on the club’s bench.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Joan Laporta and co. ‘are looking for a new manager’, with ‘many different candidates’ under consideration.
Barcelona are looking for new manager and the current plan is to change – it could take some days. Process started with the whole board involved. Talking with many different candidates to replace Ronald Koeman. 🔴 #FCB #Barça
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 30, 2021
One such tactician, meanwhile, is understood to come in the form of Andrea Pirlo.
Ex-Italian international Pirlo has been out of management since being dismissed by Serie A powerhouse Juventus at the end of last season, but, despite his relative lack of experience, is now viewed amongst the frontrunners to replace Ronald Koeman at the Camp Nou.
Per il post Koeman, a Barcellona, forti riflessioni anche sull’opzione italiana #Pirlo
— Alessandro Alciato (@AAlciato) September 30, 2021
Though contact is yet to be made between the parties, Pirlo, as per Romano, is ‘very liked’ by Blaugrana president Joan Laporta:
(🌕) Pirlo hasn’t been officially contacted by Barcelona yet, but is very liked by Joan Laporta. @FabrizioRomano @twitch #FCB 🇮🇹
— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@ReshadRahman_) September 30, 2021
Significantly, it has also been assured that the 42-year-old himself would be interested in taking up the reins in Catalunya (as would River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo):
(🌕) Marcelo Gallardo and Pirlo are both ‘open’ to coaching Barcelona, should they receive an opportunity to do so. @FabrizioRomano @twitch #FCB 👥
— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@ReshadRahman_) September 30, 2021
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