Barcelona’s project is on the brink of a complete reset after a dramatic summer that has already claimed eight players and head coach Xavi Pascual. With time running out before the new season, the club now faces one of its biggest decisions in years.
Barcelona’s margin for error is shrinking. Most of Europe’s top clubs have already completed the core of their summer business, while the Catalans are still without a head coach and a large part of their roster.
The collapse of Catalan giant
Barcelona’s offseason unravelled rapidly, with key departures including Willy Hernangomez, Nicolas Laprovittola, Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely (retirement), among others. But the most damaging blow came off the court. Pascual’s sudden exit – just seven months after returning – has exposed deeper structural issues inside the club, raising questions about long-term planning and leadership stability.
Paolo Galbiati – the system builder
Paolo Galbiati has emerged as the clear leading candidate after a breakthrough season with Baskonia, capped by a Copa del Rey title and a win over Real Madrid in the final. He is viewed as a tactical builder, potentially arriving alongside sports director Xevi Pujol.
However, according to “Sport“, media outlet close to Barcelona, negotiations remain complex due to his contract situation and Baskonia’s reluctance to release him after just one season, even though he already agreed on terms with Barcelona.
Velimir Perasovic – the stabiliser option
If Galbiati remains in Vitoria, Barcelona could pivot to Velimir Perasovic, a proven EuroLeague figure with deep Baskonia ties. Perasovic left Unics in June and is already seen as Galbiati replacement.
Perasovic is a proven EuroLeague coach who has led Baskonia to the Final Four three times. He is known for extracting maximum performance from his teams, even when they are not favorites. His strong character could finally restore hierarchy in Barcelona’s locker room and bring the team back on track, after what appears to have been a long decline since the departure of Sarunas Jasikevicius.
Ergin Ataman – the high-risk culture reset
Recently dismissed by Panathinaikos, Ergin Ataman represents the most explosive option on the market. A three-time EuroLeague champion this decade, Ataman would bring immediate authority – but also demands full control over roster construction.
While Ataman has previously achieved results with limited budgets and rosters, it is unlikely he would accept such conditions now after winning three EuroLeague titles this decade.
His arrival would certainly bring a “culture reset.” At Anadolu Efes and Panathinaikos, he managed to handle star-studded locker rooms and egos, delivering major trophies and restoring a winning mentality. However, there are two sides to every story. As much as he may want to prove himself again as one of the best coaches of the last two decades, he is also aware that Barcelona is a “ticking time bomb” that could explode at any moment.
Pedro Calles – the modern wildcard
Another mentioned option is Pedro Calles. The 42-year-old has spent most of his coaching career in Germany, steadily progressing to one of the country’s top clubs, Alba Berlin. His opportunity came when Israel Gonzalez was dismissed in March last year, and Alba’s management handed him the job. He responded by winning the title in the recently completed season, defeating Bayern 3-2 in the Bundesliga finals series.
Calles could bring youthful energy to a club that urgently needs a shake-up to wake up from a long-standing slump. His different style of basketball compared to others on this list could be an unexpected solution to Barcelona’s ongoing problems, which continue to threaten to suffocate their ambitions.
Barcelona are set to accelerate talks in the coming days as internal pressure builds to appoint a new head coach before preseason begins, with the decision expected to define the direction of the club’s entire rebuild.
