Time is running out for Ronald Koeman to turn things around at Barcelona.
A 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening left the Blaugrana in ninth place in La Liga as Diego Simeone’s side exposed the gulf in quality between the two teams right now.
Losing Lionel Messi was always going to make things difficult for Barcelona, but this is still a squad that includes high-profile stars and rising talents. Koeman simply isn’t providing a tactical solution to the club’s problems.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted ahead of the game against Atletico that Koeman retains his support, yet more weeks like this and it won’t be long before the 58-year-old is sent packing.
If things don’t change, then Koeman will certainly be considered among Barcelona’s worst coaches. There’s been little to shout about in his 13 months in charge and it’s a shame to see the talents of Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati contributing to a mid-table La Liga side that has also lost both of its opening Champions League group games.
So, where does Koeman rank among Barcelona’s coaches in the 21st century? We decided to take a look at the 12 managers to take on the job and list them in order from worst to best.
12. Louis van Gaal (June 1997 – May 2000 and May 2002 – January 2003)
Honours: None in the 21st century
Van Gaal's first spell in charge of Barcelona saw him win back-to-back La Liga titles, but they came in 1997/98 and 1998/99.
His second spell was a disaster, with star player Rivaldo being allowed to leave on a free and playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme being deployed as a winger.
Barcelona won just six league games in Van Gaal's second spell and when he left, the club were just three points above the relegation zone.
11. Quique Setien (January 2020 – August 2020)
Honours: None
Setien's spell at Barcelona was short, to say the least.
He replaced Ernesto Valverde midway through the 2019/20 campaign, so Barcelona's disappointments that season weren't entirely on him.
But this was Barcelona's first trophyless campaign since 2007/08.
10. Carles Rexach (April 2001 – May 2002)
Honours: None
Rexach's Barcelona finished fourth in the league in 2001/02, 11 points behind winners Valencia.
However, they lost to Real Madrid in the semi finals of the Champions League and to UE Figueres in the Spanish Cup.
9. Llorence Ferrer (May 2000 – April 2001)
Honours: None
Ferrer's brief stint in charge started with him asking Emmanuel Petit which position he played and ended with a 3-1 defeat to lowly Osasuna.
RANKING FOOTBALL GOATS! Ronaldo, Messi, R9, Zidane? (Via The Football Terrace)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/TSCJecN5ziw
8. Gerardo Martino (July 2013 – May 2014)
Honours: 1 Spanish Super Cup
Martino would go on to describe his tenure in charge of Barcelona as "an utter failure".
Under Martino, Barcelona finished second in La Liga, runners-up in the Copa del Rey and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. A major trophy was close but ultimately out of reach, and the Argentinian lasted just one season.
7. Ronald Koeman (August 2020 – Present)
Honours: 1 Copa del Rey
How much longer will Koeman be in the job for?
Barcelona aren't making any positive strides under the former Everton boss and it seems a matter of when, not if, he will be relieved of his duties.
6. Radomir Antic (January 2003 – June 2003)
Honours: None
Antic replaced Louis van Gaal after the Dutchman's sacking and took over the reins with Barcelona in 15th place in the table.
They would ultimately finish sixth and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, too.
5. Ernesto Valverde (May 2017 – January 2020)
Honours: 2 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Spanish Super Cup
Valverde led Barcelona to back-to-back La Liga titles, despite coping with the losses of Neymar ahead of his debut season and Andres Iniesta ahead of his second.
However, Barcelona also faced some awful Champions League experiences under the Spaniard, including those knockout losses to Roma and Liverpool.
4. Tito Vilanova (June 2012 – July 2013)
Honours: 1 La Liga title
Vilanova was Pep Guardiola's successor and under him, Barcelona cruised to the La Liga title with 100 points and 115 goals.
Vilanova's season was impacted by the return of his parotid gland cancer, forcing him to miss a portion of the campaign, but his tactical innovations - including utilising Lionel Messi as a false 9 - prompted a memorable campaign.
Vilanova was unable to continue in the role as a result of his illness and sadly passed away in 2014. However, it quickly became evident in his season in charge that he had the potential to be a great manager.
3. Frank Rijkaard (June 2003 – June 2008)
Honours: 2 La Liga titles, 2 Spanish Super Cups, 1 UEFA Champions League
Rijkaard won two Spanish titles and the Champions League, but perhaps his greatest achievement at Barcelona will be giving Lionel Messi his debut in 2004.
2. Luis Enrique (May 2014 – May 2017)
Honours: 2 La Liga titles, 3 Copa del Reys, 1 Spanish Super Cup, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup
A serial winner at Barcelona, Enrique brought in the likes of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ivan Rakitic, and Luis Suarez in his first season and what followed was terrific.
Led by the iconic 'MSN' front three, Barcelona won the treble in Enrique's first season and more trophies continued after that. He's easily Barcelona's greatest manager in the post-Guardiola era.
Speaking of whom...
1. Pep Guardiola (June 2008 – June 2012)
Honours: 3 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Reys, 3 Spanish Super Cups, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 2 FIFA Club World Cups
Not just Barcelona’s best manager of the 21st century, but one of the greatest in the club’s history.
Guardiola led Barcelona to three La Liga titles and two Champions League wins, creating some of the most iconic sides in football history.
Oh what Barcelona would give to go back to those days…
