Barcelona sacks Ronald Koeman as head coach, Sergi Barjuan appointed interim coach

Spanish giant Barcelona continued its horrific season, as it suffered a 0-1 defeat to fifth-placed Rayo Vallecano in an away tie of the La Liga 2021-22 on Wednesday night. Consequently, Barca has dropped to ninth place in the points table after ten games, having won just four, besides losing three.

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Meanwhile, following the defeat, Barcelona let go of its head coach Ronald Koeman, thus bringing his 14-month spell with the Catalan to an end. During this stint, he won 39 games out of 67 and lost 16, with a win percentage of 58.21, which is his managerial career best. He only won a title, as the side won the Copa del Ray last season.

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"FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first-team coach. The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva. FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career," the club said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, Sergi Barjuán has been appointed as the interim coach of the side. He is currently the head coach of the club's B side, which competes in the Primera División RFEF, where it is placed 11th. Barca would be the seventh side he would manage in his career, while he had begun by coaching the club's youth side earlier in his managerial career.

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Barjuán has managed 169 games, winning 64 and losing 58, while he possesses a win percentage of 37.87. His best stint happened with Chinese club Hangzhou Greentown, where he had a win percentage of 43.75. Meanwhile, Barca will continue with its process of hiring a new full-time manager as soon as possible.