Amid reports that FC Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde will be sacked if the team does not win the Copa de Rey final, here are eight potential candidates who could replace the under-fire boss at the Camp Nou.
Tired of reading? Click through the gallery above to see some coaches Barca could look to as Valverde's replacement.
Valverde has received a new of wave criticism after his side surrendered a 3-0 first-leg lead in their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.
The Reds' heroic 4-0 comeback win over the Blaugrana was the second successive three-goal collapse by Valverde's men in the competition.
It believed the coach only survived last year's implosion against AS Roma, who had lost the first leg of the quarter-final tie at the Camp Nou 4-1 before beating the Blaugrana 3-0 at home to progress via the away goals rule, because he won the Copa del Rey.
Spanish publication AS has now claimed that only another triumph in the Spanish cup – Barcelona will line up against Valencia in the final – can save the coaches job again, despite having wrapped up consecutive LaLiga titles.
Watch: Aubrey Modiba on Percy Tau's Winning the Proximus League Player of the Year
Among other things, Valverde has come under criticism for his team selections, in particular his use of club-record signing Philippe Coutinho. Despite the manager renewing his contract until 2020 only a few months ago, the agreement is "not unbreakable", according to Marca.
The list of potential replacements is long, with Ajax Amsterdam's Erik ten Hag, who recently guided his side to the brink of the club's first Champions League final since 1996 despite having a starting XI that cost just €42.55 million (R679 million) to assemble.
The 49-year-old was Bayern Munich's second-team coach when Pep Guardiola was in charge of the Bavarians, and he recently revealed he learned a lot from the Spaniard. In addition, his playing style comes close to that of legendary Ajax and Barca coach Johan Cruyff.
Read: Barca Transfer News: Six In, Six Out?
Another name that has been mentioned is ex-Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez, who will retire from playing at the end of the season to focus on his coaching badges. An appointment at the end of this term, though, might be too soon for the Spaniard, but he seems destined to coach at the Camp Nou at some point.
Holland coach Ronald Koeman and Belgium's Roberto Martinez are reportedly also in the mix – you can see the complete list in the gallery above!
Do you think Barca should sack Valverde if they don't win the Copa del Rey? Have your say in the comments section below.
