Quique Setien Reflects on 'Tremendously Painful' Bayern Defeat as Sack Looms

Barcelona manager Quique Setien has conceded that "things will have to change" following the humiliating 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich.

Setien's is expected to be relieved of his duties imminently after a disappointing seven months in charge at Camp Nou. Barça surrendered the La Liga title to Real Madrid and were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Club, before the loss to Die Roten confirmed a rare trophy-less season.

Reflecting after the game, the former Real Betis boss admitted that his future was out of his hands.

"Barca is a club that is so great that this will cause us a lot of damage and obviously some things will have to change. The truth is this is a tremendously painful defeat," Setien said (via the Mirror).

"Barcelona want to recover their identity. Right now, it's too soon to think about whether I will stay or not. It doesn't depend on me. We have to reflect, taking the situation into account and the importance that such a humiliating and painful defeat means.

"I'm hurt, evidently, by such a hefty defeat. The way it came about has been tremendously painful.
I'm not worried about my future right now, but a defeat that is very painful for the club and the fans."

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu fuelled speculation that Setien would be sacked, admitting that he had some hard choices to make about the club's future.

"It's been a disaster, and now it's time to take some decisions," Bartomeu said. "Some of them we've already thought about. We need to take these decisions, and there's some others that we have to take."

Many have interpreted that second comment as implying Setien will be dismissed, with Mauricio Pochettino believed to be the frontrunner to take over. Xavi has also been mentioned but does not want to join the club until after the presidential election next summer.