Valverde? Unzue? What’s going on with Barcelona’s search for a new manager?

by Gill Clark

The wait could be coming to an end...

It’s now been almost exactly two months since Luis Enrique announced he was stepping down as Barcelona coach, yet somehow we seem no closer to knowing who will replace him in the hotseat

The latest reports have thrown even more names into the mix with Oscar Garcia and Juan Antonio Pizzi joining an ever-growing list that has failed to inspire huge excitement so far.

What does seem certain is that no official announcement will be made until after the end of the season.

Barcelona’s last game is the Copa del Rey final against Alaves on May 27 and Robert Fernandez admits the club will take their time.

"We working on it, of course," he said. "But we're not in a rush. We want to work with all the calm in the world.

"We are in the final part of the season and we don't want to divert attention. Right now the most important thing is finishing the season well and that Luis Enrique leaves as a league and cup champions."

Source | RAC1

So what do we know so far? Well, the early favourite (and mine) Jorge Sampaoli appears to be out of the running with Argentina desperate for him to replace Edgardo Bauza as the national team coach.

"He is the chosen coach. We have to wait for the contractual terms to discuss things with Sevilla,” AFA president Claudio Tapia said.

"We have chosen a coach that has a contract. We want to be respectful and wait because he has a release clause which is once the tournament ends.”

Source | ESPN Argentina

Which makes Ernesto Valverde the current favourite and, interestingly, Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has announced he will face the media on Thursday – is he to set to announce Valverde’s departure? We may be about to find out.

What of Juan Carlos Unzué I hear you ask? Well, although just a month ago he was viewed as perfect, the Champions League defeat to Juventus in Turin has reportedly seen him fall out of favour.

While Unzue would ensure a smooth transition, the common view seems to be he’s behind Valverde in the running and very much the ‘Plan B’.

But who else is there? Eusebio Sacristan and Ronald Koeman continue to be linked, although Eusebio has pledged his future to Sociedad and Koeman has so far refused to entertain talk of a Camp Nou return.

The latest name to be bandied about is Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi who seems to have all the attributes required, and perhaps more importantly knows Fernandez well.

However, just a few weeks ago Oscar Garcia was also being spoken about in the same terms and then it all went very quiet.

In the meantime, Philip Cocu has admitted he would love to coach the club while the rumour mill has completely lost its mind claiming Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and even Arsene Wenger could all take over.

The bookmakers are also having a field day. If you fancy throwing some money away they will happily allow you to bet on Sam Allardyce, David Moyes, or even Roy Keane taking over. Seriously.

So where does that leave us? Still without an answer although we may well be a step closer to knowing on Thursday afternoon.

Athletic Bilbao have announced a "usual" press conference, although they’ve also confirmed president Josu Urrutia will address the media, so not completely usual then.

The expectation is he will make an announcement on Valverde’s future and either way, that may well leave us a step closer to knowing who will replace Luis Enrique this summer. Maybe.

Who do you want to take over Barca fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...