Barcelona's five contenders to replace Ronald Koeman as top target emerges

Barcelona have reportedly sounded out five managerial targets as they prepare to part ways with Ronald Koeman after an underwhelming start to the season.

The Blaugrana kicked off their La Liga campaign with wins over Real Sociedad and Getafe either side of a draw away at Athletic Bilbao.

But they were roundly beaten 3-0 at home by Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener last week and only managed to scrape a 1-1 draw with Granada on Monday.

Koeman's side trailed for almost the entire 90 minutes at Camp Nou before Ronald Araujo rescued a point to leave Barca seventh in the table.

Roberto Martinez is the leading candidate to replace Ronald Koeman as Barcelona manager ( Image:

PA)

The Catalan giants are five points adrift of league-leaders Real Madrid, albeit with a game in hand, and club chiefs are already planning for life after Koeman.

That is according to Goal, who claim Barcelona are gathering the £10million they will need to compensate the Dutchman when they sack him.

The precise date of the 58-year-old's dismissal is unknown, but it will not occur until after La Liga clashes with Cadiz on Thursday and Levante on Sunday.

The report adds Barcelona are targeting a long-term successor for Koeman and club president Joan Laporta's preferred option is Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

No talks have occurred between the two parties, but Koeman is said to be on borrowed time having been appointed by Laporta's predecessor, Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Alternatively, Spain legend Xavi remains heavily linked with a return to Camp Nou, although he is said to be committed to his task in charge of Qartari side Al Sadd.

Who should replace Ronald Koeman as Barcelona manager - and is it the right decision to sack him? Have your say in the comments.

Another Barcelona icon, Jordi Cruyff, could be promoted to the hot seat if Martinez cannot be prised from Belgium. Cruyff is the son of Netherlands legend Johan and currently serves as Barcelona assistant sporting director.

Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo, via Football Italia, claims former Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo or Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte could take over from Koeman.

Pirlo was sacked in May and promptly replaced by Massimiliano Allegri after he won the Coppa Italia but let Juve's grip on Serie A slip.

Conte was the manager to beat Pirlo to the title, however he left the club after falling out with San Siro chiefs regarding transfer policy.

As speculation grows ahead of his reportedly-imminent sacking, Koeman had a curt response to reporters asking about his situation after the 1-1 draw with Granada.

"I'm not going to talk about my future anymore," he said.