It seemed inevitable. Barcelona sacked Ronald Koeman as the team still struggles to get results. His days seemed to be numbered for a long time, but after the defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday things reached a point of no return. Now, El Blaugrana will have to look for a new manager.

Sport reported the news just a few hours after Los Cules lost their third game of the 2021-22 La Liga, failing to bounce back from a painful loss to Real Madrid last weekend in El Clasico. But it was just a matter of time before this happened, as the Dutchman has been under heavy fire for months.

Barcelona never got back on track under Koeman, as they were thrashed in theUEFA Champions League last season and also at the beginning of the new campaign. Now, his time is over, and Joan Laporta may go after these managers, according to Sport.

Xavi Hernandez

A club icon, Xavi Hernandez has spent a lifetime at Camp Nou having emerged from the academy and living an extremely successful era in the Blaugrana uniform. The former Spain international is under contract with Qatari side Al Sadd until 2023. He no longer has a release clause to leave for Barca, but his club may let him leave anyway.

Marcelo Gallardo

The successful River Plate manager seems ready to take a step forward in his managerial career and embark on a new adventure in Europe. Marcelo Gallardo has built an unstoppable force in South America with an offensive style of play, so he would fit well in Barcelona.

Roberto Martinez

The Belgium national team manager has alsobeen linked with the position at Barcelona. Roberto Martinez is under contract until June 2022, which is why he could accept this challenge. Besides, after five years ininternational soccer, he may want to get back to club competition.

Xavi Hernandez - Page 11

Barcelona sack Ronald Koeman: Three candidates to taker over at Camp Nou