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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

Former Swansea City and Everton boss Roberto Martinez shock favourite for Barcelona job

Former Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez is the shock favourite for the Barcelona job.

Catalan radio station RAC1 place the Spaniard as the frontrunner to replace Ernesto Valverde, who is on the brink of the sack it Catalonia.

Barcelona were defeated by Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final on Sunday night amid a bitter end to their season in Spain, which saw humiliation at the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League.

Forty-five-year-old Martinez was born in Balaguer and began his footballing career with Real Zaragoza. He was given his chance in English football with Wigan before a spell in Scotland saw him pitch up in South Wales.

When he hung up his playing boots he returned to manage Swansea, before moving back to Wigan to coach at the DW Stadium, with a move Everton followiing.

After muted success at Goodison Park he was appointed Belgium boss, leading the Red Devils to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018.

Barca legend Xavi Hernandez and outgoing Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri are also in the running.

Latest odds (courtesy of Oddschecker)

Quique Setien - 1

Roberto Martinez - 10-3

Xavi Hernandez - 11-2

Massimiliano Allegri - 13-2

Ronald Koeman - 9

J Low - 14

Nuno Espirito Santo - 14

A Conte - 16

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