Pochettino emerges as one of favourites to take over Barcelona
The Argentine could have come in January but Barça weren't bold enough
Barcelona will take a number of decisions in the coming days and the first one will be on the bench. Quique Setien will be sacked soon. The Blaugrana have decided that he will not continue next season following a disappointing seven months in charge of the team.
The disastrous 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich will speed things up and Barça want a new coach as soon as possible to lead a new project. Xavi Hernandez is the top target but he will not come now, so Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as one of the most likely candidates.
Pochettino was sounded out in January. There were no doubts about his professionalism but at that time the board felt it was too risky to appoint him because of his Espanyol past and previous comments, made in an ironic tone, about coaching Barça.
Barça now feel they made a mistake. given they ended up opting for Setien, who had been backed and defended by the sporting director Eric Abidal.
Pochettino has always been liked and the Argentine has the reputation to take on the club's immediate future. The former Espanyol boss excelled in the Premier League with Tottenham and has the character to lead an overhaul of the squad.
The Catalan club have remained in contact with Pochettino in recent months and he is open to taking the job. A decision will be made in the coming days, but Pochettino is well-positioned.
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