Topics: La Liga, Barcelona, Granada, Ronald Koeman
The Spanish giants are reportedly close to making a decision on parting ways with the under fire Dutch coach.

Barcelona are reportedly on the verge of parting ways with Ronald Koeman and have identified about six managers who could potentially become the club's new manager in the coming days. The decision taken by the Blaugrana is currently pending official announcement and, according to the latest from Spain, will be publicized when a name out of those shortlisted is settled on. 

Prior to the start of the new league season, Ronald Koeman was given a lifeline to continue at Barcelona after the club's president Joan Laporta revealed that they could not afford his sack. This, coupled with the fact that the Camp Nou outfit could not find a suitable candidate to take over, bought the former Netherlands head coach some time repay the faith retained in him after finishing third in La Liga last season. In the exodus of Lionel Messi's departure to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, the Catalonia club has struggled for form and, on Monday, hit a new low by coming from behind to share spoils with Granada in a 1-1 draw at home.

The result followed the club's 3-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League game of the season, an outcome that had purportedly angered President Laporta. The bad blood between the latter and Koeman is said to have intensified, hence the decision to look elsewhere and appoint a new manager. News emerging from Spain suggest that the Dutchman's future could be sorted as soon as possible although his contract was supposed to be up at the end of the season.

According to RAC1's Gerard Moreno, Barcelona's six-man shortlist for the job includes Pirlo, Philip Cocu, Antonio Conte, Xavi Hernandez and Joachim Lowe. Other Spanish news outlets have also stated that Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is also on the list. 

More to follow...