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Ronald Koeman confirmed as new Barcelona manager as ex-Nou Camp star replaces Quique Setien

Sports

By Mirror | Aug 19, 2020

Barcelona have confirmed Ronald Koeman as their new manager on a two-year contract.

The fallen Spanish giants have appointed Quique Setien's replacement after the head coach was dismissed on Monday.

The 61-year-old departed after Friday's humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Setien, who replaced Ernesto Valverde in January, had signed a contract to keep him at the La Liga outfit until the summer of 2022, but leaves after only seven months in charge.

And indeed, former player Koeman has now been appointed as the man to oversee a new era at the club.

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Holland manager Koeman spent six years as a player at the Nou Camp and will now return to familiar surroundings.

One of the problems for the new manager to solve will be the future of Lionel Messi, who will be out of contract next summer.

UEFA Nations League Semi Final - Netherlands v England - Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes, Portugal - June 6, 2019 Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman before the match [REUTERS/Rafael Marchante]

The Argentine has so far failed to agree new terms with the only club of his career and - at the age of 33 - could be tempted by a new challenge.

Barcelona last claimed Champions League glory in 2015 and yet feel further away than ever after a season where they went through two coaches amidst issues off the field.

It has been revealed the next presidential elections will not take place until March, with the current board citing the short break between campaigns and the coronavirus pandemic as key reasons behind the decision.

A statement read: "The club will continue to implement the plan to reverse the sporting and economic situation, based on profound changes to the first team, plus a redefined budget to deal with the new situation caused by COVID-19, before the end of the current mandate.

"The holding of the elections from March 15 next year implies that the board of directors assume full responsibility regarding the 2020-2021 financial year."

Goalkeeper Marc Ter Stegen had surgery on his right patellar tendon on Tuesday in another blow, meaning the Germany international may miss the start of the season for Barcelona.

La Liga is set to return on September 12 which gives the Catalan club only a short amount of time to appoint a new manager and start rebuilding an ageing squad.