Mourinho or Blanc

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that, with the probable appointment of Dutch national team coach Marco Van Basten (43) as the new Ajax manager (read more here), the two remaining top candidates to become the next Barcelona coach (if current manager Frank Rijkaard would leave due to a board decision or out of his own free will) are José Mourinho and Laurent Blanc.

Former Chelsea manager Mourinho (45) would be the favourite of a part of the Barcelona board who thinks a firm hand and immediate results are needed.

Current Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc (42) would have the support of sports director Txiki Begiristain who is said to be impressed by the attacking and spectacular playing style of Blanc’s team.