Barcelona target Ronald Koeman, Ernesto Valverde, Eusebio Sacristan and Juan Carlos Unzue as Catalan giants draw up four-man shortlist to replace Luis Enrique

BARCELONA have drawn up a four-man shortlist of successors to Luis Enrique - and Ronald Koeman is on it.

Alejandro Valverde, Eusebio Sacristan, Juan Carlos Unzue are the other names under consideration by the Barca board, who will not make a decsion until at least April.

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Robert Fernandez, the club's technical director, will make the call as he also seeks to tie down Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta to new deals at Camp Nou.

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According to Spanish paper , the club whittled down their list of candidates to the quartet based on how entrenched their beliefs are towards the Blaugrana's footballing philosophy.

But they are also keen to appoint someone who is capable of handling any turbulence that comes as president Josep Maria Bartomeu heads into the final four years of his term.

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And Barca chiefs are conscious of the ageing nature of their squad, targeting someone who can get the best of Iniesta and Javier Mascherano as their careers wind down, while continuing to draw world-class displays from Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique as they head into their 30s.

The Spanish champions like to promote from within and that would favour Enrique's assistant Unzue, although a lack of experience as a boss could work against him - the 49-year-old has only managed during short stints at Numancia and Santander.

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Fernandez said yesterday: "He’s a good option as he knows the club well, the players and the system. He is someone who is prepared and knows where he is.”

Athletic Bilbao's Valverde played under Blaugrana legend Johan Cruyff and has impressed with his attacking style, knowing the division inside out from his stints at Valencia , Villarreal and Espanyol.

Fernandez, who played with Valverde at Barca for two years, added: "He has had good seasons, at Athletic and other clubs. He is a serious character and a good coach.”

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Eusebio is steeped in Barca tradition, having made over 200 appearances as a player before becoming Pep Guardiola's assistant and later taking charge of the club's 'B' team.

And Everton manager Koeman is another Cruyff disciple, having played with Guardiola and Sacristan in the side that clinched the European Cup in 1992.

The Dutchman's extra-time goal handed Barca a 1-0 win that helped their to their maiden European title.