Barcelona have sacked sporting manager Eric Abidal, three days after Barca’s humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, in Lisbon, on Friday night.
“The club would publicly like to thank Eric Abidal for his professionalism, commitment, dedication and the close and positive nature of his relationship with all aspects of the Blaugrana family.” Barca said in their official website.
Abidal enmeshed in an ugly row with former team-mate Lionel Messi. The Frenchman and Messi have involved in a war of words through the media after Abidal was critical of the Blaugrana squad after former manager Ernesto Valverde sacked back in January.
Barcelona on the other hand, they have sacked manager Quique Setien on Monday. The Spaniard is the second manager to be sacked this year, with him having only joined the club on January 13.
“The Board of Directors have agreed that Quique Setien is no longer the first-team coach.” Barcelona said in a statement.
“This is the first decision within a wider restructuring of the first-team which will be agreed between the current technical secretary and the new coach, who will be announced in the coming days.” Barcelona added.
Setien, who replaced Valverde at the Nou Camp, conceded eight goals in the Champions League qurter-finals for the first time since April 1946. He amassed 16 wins, 4 draw and 5 defeats during his time with Barcelona.
According to reports, former Southampton and Everton manager Ronald Koeman is set to be new Barcelona manager after Setien was sacked.
Koeman was a great footballer. The Dutchman is considered as a Barcelona legend, and he would walk in to the club dream team with ease.
The 57-year-old manager is known for his man management skills and his tactics. He is a straight arrow like Pep Guardiola, a very good manager.
