FC Barcelona Fire Quique Setien From Head Coach Role Following Humiliating Bayern Munich UCL Loss

Quique Setien has been fired from his role as the head coach of FC Barcelona following Friday’s humiliating loss against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals.

As the La Liga title slipped out of the Blaugrana’s clutches earlier this summer and into the grasp of bitter rivals Real Madrid, club president Josep Bartomeu had repeatedly given his backing to Setien in exclusive interviews with local newspapers SPORT and Mundo Deportivo.

Yet in the wake of the Catalans’ 8-2 annihilation by the Bavarians at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon – which has been branded the darkest night in their history on the continent – the 61-year-old’s position became untenable and it seemed only a matter of time until he received his marching orders.

They finally came on Monday evening in Spain. Yet at full time at the weekend, Bartomeu had previously refused to be drawn into confirming the dismissal.

“[Gerard] Pique is right and we have to take decisions,” began Bartomeu to Spanish broadcaster Movistar, in reference to self-critical remarks the central defender had made minutes before. “Some we had taken before the Champions League and others we’ll take in the coming days. From now we’ll announce them as we go.”

“I can’t say right now what they are, today is a day to reflect, a pitiful day, and from tomorrow we’ll have to try and raise Culer spirits across the world, who are sad after this tough defeat,” he added.

Accurately reported by RAC1 to hold the emergency meeting that took place today and lasted over five hours, Bartomeu has called early elections on March 15 that will decide his successor.

As to who will replace Setien, himself appointed after a dramatic and criticized decision to boot out Ernesto Valverde mid-season in January, Ronald Koeman has emerged as the leading candidate.

Lastly, according to COPE, it is alleged that captain Lionel Messi will walk on a free and turn his back on Barça after more than 20 years at the club in the summer of 2021 if there isn’t a full restructuring behind the scenes at the Camp Nou.

Inter Milan have often been linked to the Ballon d’Or winner, but there is also a chance he joins Newell’s Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario.

His departure announced via an official statement reproduced above, Setien leaves FC Barcelona trophyless after just seven months on the job.