Barca draw up Coaches shortlist

Barcelona have made a list of possible replacements for Tata Martino should the Coach leave at the end of the season.

Sport reports that despite Barca insisting they are happy with Martino and have spoken of a new contract for the Argentine, sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has made a list of alternatives should Martino move on.

Martino has spoken of the pressure of sitting on the Barca bench and after he was sent to the stands for the second half of the defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday, Sport adds an emergency shortlist has been made should Martino not continue.

The list falls into two groups – three candidates who would continue the style of play currently in place, laid down by Pep Guardiola, and two who would approach matters differently.

In the former camp are Ernesto Valverde, Luis Enrique and Andre Villas-Boas. The latter pair are Jurgen Klopp and Diego Simeone.

Klopp and Simeone are included as despite their style differing to Barca’s current preferred pattern of play, their success means Zubizarreta would be open to their appointment.

Sport adds that two further names have been mentioned – both considered unlikely but would be in the discussion should Martino depart: Everton’s Roberto Martinez and Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Montella.

Martinez has a good relationship with Zubi – the pair have met for dinner and have spoken of the idea of Martinez taking over at Barca one day – and Gerard Deulofeu is currently on loan at Goodison Park.

Montella, meanwhile, is included in the list after a recommendation of sorts from Guardiola, who spoke highly of the Catania side led by the former Roma striker.

Tags Andoni Zubizarreta Andre Villas-Boas Diego Simeone Klopp Luis Enrique Roberto Martinez Tata Martino Valverde Vincenzo Montella
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