RONALD KOEMAN has been sacked as Barcelona manager after a miserable start to the season.
The Dutch boss was axed hours after another embarrassing defeat on Wednesday night at Rayo Vallecano.
Koeman left Barcelona ninth in LaLiga and facing an early Champions League exit.
He won a vote of confidence this summer to remain in charge after a poor season at the helm.
But things have spiralled out of control for the crisis-hit Nou Camp side after losing talisman Lionel Messi over the summer and Koeman has paid the price.
Poor results in El Clasico and against Rayo Vallecano have sealed his fate.
Barcelona announced the sacking at just gone midnight local time in Catalunya after crisis talks.
A short statement read: “FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach.
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“The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.
“Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.
“FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”
Koeman quit his job as Netherlands manager in August 2020 to replace Quique Setien at the Nou Camp, even reportedly paying his own £6million release clause to join the cash-strapped Catalans.
But the Dutchman has endured a miserable 14 months in charge of the club he helped to European Cup success in 1992.
They finished third last season after winning just two of their last five La Liga games before the true impact of the club’s financial difficulties kicked in over the summer.
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Anger from supporters boiled over at the weekend when a mob of supporters surrounded his car as he left the ground following the defeat to Madrid.
Fellow Barca legend Xavi, currently managing in Qatar, is the early favourite to succeed him.
Belgium’s Spanish head coach Roberto Martinez is another name that has been mentioned as a potential replacement.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
