BARCELONA sacked coach Ronald Koeman on Wednesday, just hours after the side suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Rayo Vallecano. The team now sits ninth in La Liga. Barca has won only two of its last seven league games under Koeman, a run that included losing to Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou. A poor start to the season has raised the possibility of the team failing to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, which would have enormous consequences for the club’s already dire financial situation. Former midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is currently in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd, is considered as Koeman’s most likely successor. Barcelona B coach Sergi Barjuan could take charge of the first team on an interim basis, with games against Alaves, Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League, and Celta Vigo to come before the next international break. River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag have also been linked with Barcelona but might be reluctant to leave their respective posts mid-season. A club statement released after midnight in Spain on Wednesday read: “FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach. “The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. “FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.” Koeman spent six years at Barcelona as a player and is considered a club legend after scoring the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria. He was appointed coach by Barca’s previous president Josep Maria Bartomeu in August 2020 and enjoyed some success in his first season, winning the Copa del Rey and bringing a disillusioned Lionel Messi back onside. (SD-Agencies) | 