Setien, who was appointed as Ernesto Valverde's successor in January, had a tumultuous spell in the charge of the Catalan giants, which his position mired almost immediately by reports that many of the first team playing squad were unconvinced by his leadership.

The situation at the club degenerated post-lockdown, as Barca surrendered their La Liga crown to rivals Real Madrid and then suffered the historic Champions League reverse to Bayern Munich

The manner of the club's exit from Europe seemed to seal Setien's fate as the club's under-fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu, apparently eager to address the club's flaws ahead of campaigning for re-election to his position next year, finally withdrew his backing for his beleaguered coach.

"Quique Setién no longer first team coach," the club announced in a statement. "The new coach will be announced in the coming days as part of a wide ranging restructuring of the first team.

The current wave of discontent as the Camp Nou has led to furious speculation that Lionel Messi has demanded to leave the club this summer, with speculation suggesting the Argentinian maestro is eyeing a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, or even with former teammate Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain.