Barcelona want Ronald Koeman to replace Luis Enrique, insists agent of fellow candidate Frank De Boer
Nou Camp giants tend to hire former players as boss and current Everton gaffer was icon who won 1992 European Cup
BARCELONA want Ronald Koeman to be their next manager, according to the agent of another potential candidate.
Frank De Boer, who left his post an Inter Milan earlier this season, had been tipped to return his former club as manager.
However, his agent, Guido Albers, insists boss Koeman is the one the Nou Camp giants want.
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He told : "I don't believe Frank will go.
"Barcelona already have managers like Ronald Koeman in mind.
Everton’s Dutch boss has made a name for himself in the Premier League after fairing admirably with Southampton.
And he is already a club legend at Barcelona — netting an extra time winner in their first European Cup triumph in 1992. He was also assistant manager at the Nou Camp under Louis Van Gaal from 1998 to 2000.
Barcelona have developed a tendency to employ people who know the club as manager following the incredible success of Pep Guardiola.
The current Manchester City boss’ only previous experience was with the club’s B team.
But he won the Treble in his first season and introduced a new style of football, before winning another Champions League trophy two years on.
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His assistant, Tito Vilanova, replaced him when he decided to take a sabbatical — and he won the title in his only year in charge.
The sequence was interrupted when Tata Martino was brought in, but Barca finished the season trophyless, and failed to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in seven years.
So the hierarchy reverted to type in 2014 and brought in former midfielder Enrique — despite a dreadful spell with Roma two years earlier, which ended with no European football after spending heavily.
He replicated Guardiola by winning the Treble in his maiden season.
And he followed that up with a league and cup double in his second campaign.
Enrique’s success has convinced Barcelona chiefs they need to hire people who can understand and adhere to the club’s unique philosophy.
Koeman was part of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team and spent a trophy-laden six years at the Nou Camp.
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He won four La Liga titles in a row, three Spanish Super Cups, a Copa del Rey, a European Cup and a Uefa Super Cup.
While he also has a wealth of managerial experience to boot.
Koeman has won Dutch titles while in charge of Ajax and the PSV Eindhoven, as well as enjoying cup successes with Benfica, Valencia and AZ Alkmaar.