Mikel Arteta has previously been tipped to become Barcelona manager.
Talk of the Arsenal boss returning to his boyhood club first emerged around elections time in March with Joan Laporta going up against Victor Font and Toni Freixa to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu.
After securing 54.3 per cent of the vote, Laporta was announced as the winner of the Barcelona presidential election and decided to keep faith in Ronald Koeman despite a poor 2020/21 season.
However, following a 1-0 defeat against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night that leaves the club ninth in La Liga, it was announced on Thursday morning that the Dutchman is no longer Barcelona head coach.
"FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach," a statement read. "The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.
"FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the club and wishes him all the best in his professional career."
Attention now turns to who will replace Koeman at the Camp Nou, with former Barcelona midfielder Xavi the early favourite.
But could the Catalan giants renew their reported interest in Arteta?
Even if they did, the Arsenal manager has already delivered his verdict on managing Barcelona, and barring a change of heart, it seems he would reject any advances from his former club.
"There is always going to be speculation when there are elections in Barcelona, it’s a huge team," he said earlier this year. "Obviously I was raised there as a player and there is always going to be links.
How do you rate Arsenal's summer transfer business? Have your say in the survey below.
"But I am fully focused on the job that I have to do here, which we have a lot to do, and I am really enjoying it.
"Today and tomorrow I am the manager of Arsenal football club and I am really enjoying it.
"And I want to do much better than what we have done so far.
"What I can tell you is I feel privileged to manage this football club and that I’m extremely happy."
