Ronald Koeman agrees to take Barcelona job after Quique Setien sacked

Barca president says Lionel Messi will remain "pillar of our project" and opens door for Philippe Coutinho to stay

Ronald Koeman has agreed in principle to become Barcelona manager and club president Josep Bartomeu says he expects the Dutchman to be in charge next season.

Quique Setien was sacked in a meeting with technical director Eric Abidal - who himself left the club on Tuesday - just days after the humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho could be team mates again at Barcelona next season

Koeman, the Netherlands head coach, was first contacted by Barcelona about becoming head coach at the beginning of the year, with Bartomeu adding: "We bet on him. He was the first one we called in January. It's a dream for him."

Barca officials are in talks with the Dutch FA over compensation for Koeman, who played for the Catalan club between 1989 and 1995.

He was a member of แทงบอลวันนี้ Cruyff's hugely successful side, known as the 'Dream Team', and scored the only goal of the game against Sampdoria in the 1992 European Cup final.

Bartomeu added: "As he was in Johan's 'Dream Team', he knows Barca and how we understand football."

Asked whether he would like to return to Barcelona, Koeman told reporters outside the Dutch Football Federation headquarters on Tuesday: "Yes, I'd like to, but it will only be confirmed once I have signed the contract.

"Until then, I cannot say any more about it - even though I'd like to."