Next Barcelona manager odds: Ronald Koeman on the brink at Barca

Bookmakers believe that Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernandez look the likely candidates to be named next Barcelona manager as rumours persist that Ronald Koeman is on the brink of the sack.

Koeman's position as Barcelona boss is thought to be hanging by a thread after the Catalan giants were beaten 3-0 by Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, and reports suggest he could be dismissed before Saturday's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid.

Barca, who were also defeated 3-0 by Bayern Munich in their first Champions League group-stage match, are five points behind rivals Real Madrid in La Liga, although they do have a game in hand on Los Blancos.

Former Barca midfielder Xavi, who won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns in a golden 17-year spell at the club, has long been talked about as a future manager at Camp Nou and he would no doubt be a popular appointment among Barcelona fans.

The 41-year-old former captain, who is a best-priced 2-1 to be named Barcelona boss, has managed Qatari side Al Sadd since 2019, having previously turned down Barca in January 2020 on the basis that he wasn't ready.

The Catalans instead opted to appoint Quique Setien for a short-lived spell before Koeman took over in a tenure marred by the financial instability which led to the departure of club icon Lionel Messi.

While Xavi remains the favourite to replace the Dutchman, the man for the money on Thursday was Andrea Pirlo, who was available to back at 33-1 with Hills on Wednesday but was just 7-2 with the same firm the next day.

The 42-year-old Italian was dismissed as Juventus manager at the end of the 2020-21 season after he failed to retain the Serie A title with the Old Lady in his first season in management.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is next in the betting at 6-1 while others to have been linked with the coveted role include former Barcelona player Oscar Garcia, who is manager of Ligue 1 club Reims, and River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo.

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