According to the Daily Mail, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is the favourite to current Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde. The report claims the Catalan club have called emergency meetings to discuss the future of Valverde.
The former-Athletic Bilbao coach has guided Barcelona to back-to-back La Liga titles. However, the team’s poor performances in the latter stages of the Champions League in consecutive campaigns have led to speculation over Valverde’s future at the club.
Incredible if Martinez joins Barcelona
It would be an incredible journey for the Martinez, who has previously managed Swansea, Wigan and Everton. In fact, his last job in football saw the affable Martinez sacked by Everton after a poor campaign in his final season with the club.
For the 45-year-old to now be favourite to be the next Barcelona boss is incredible. He has done a decent job with the Belgium national team. However, Mike Bassett could win games with the players available to the Red Devils at the minute.
They have one of the most talented groups of players of any national side in the world. The likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard are just two of the players available to the Belgium national boss.
Martinez built his managerial reputation on an attacking football philosophy. His football philosophy helped win Wigan their first and only ever major silverware. However, it also led to the Latics suffering relegation. They have never recovered from the drop.
He then led Everton to fifth position, only for the Toffees to underachieve in the following few seasons. He showed his complete naivety when it came to the defensive side of the game, as Everton conceded a bag full of goals under the Spaniard.
Barcelona will no doubt be looking to attack most teams, so maybe his complete lack of defensive coaching knowledge will not matter as much in Catalonia. His Belgium team can defend because he has the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Vincent Kompany at his disposal.
Other candidates in the frame
It seems it is now the end for Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona and there seems no lack of candidates for the big job in Catalonia. The likes of Arsenal boss Unai Emery, Quique Setien formerly of Real Betis and Netherlands national boss Ronald Koeman are all reportedly high on Barcelona’s list of candidates.
It seems there is a fascination for former Everton bosses. The Barcelona hierarchy may draw the line at attempting to lure David Moyes or Sam Allardyce to the Nou Camp, although the latter probably he believes he could do a job with the Catalan giants.
It would be fascinating to see how Martinez would do at one of the biggest clubs in world football. He is affable enough, but the Spanish and Catalan press can be notoriously tough on Barcelona bosses.
If it happens it could turn out to be an inspired choice and good luck to the Spanish boss at the Nou Camp. However, it could also be a disastrous appointment too. Only time will tell if Martinez can bring his own unique style of positivity to Catalonia.
Will Roberto Martinez be the next Barcelona head coach?
