Barcelona had already begun sounding out possible managers and planned to replace Ernesto Valverde this coming summer, but sources say the defeat in the Supercopa hastened those plans.

Barcelona considered firing Valverde last summer after humiliating Champions League exits in consecutive seasons, but they were underwhelmed with the options and he still had the support of the players.

Since then sources explain that Josep Maria Bartomeu had grown increasingly concerned about the team's "image" on the pitch.