Legendary midfielder Xavi, free agent Pochettino or Everton flop Martinez? As the pressure mounts on Barcelona boss Quique Setien, here are the top contenders for the Nou Camp hotseat

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Quique Setien's grip on the Barcelona job appears to be slipping by the day. 

The LaLiga champions are now four points behind Real Madrid in the table and face an almost impossible task to retain their crown with their bitter rivals in fine form.

There are also a number of issues behind the scenes, with talk of a dressing room bust-up following Saturday's disappointing draw with Celta Vigo.

Barcelona boss Quique Setien is fighting to keep his job after issues on and off the pitch

Lionel Messi was caught on camera ignoring Setien's No 2, Eder Sarabia, during that game, while Antoine Griezmann's struggles are again under the microscope after the briefest of cameo appearances against his old club Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Barca also drew that game at the Nou Camp 2-2, and have now dropped six points from six games since the season resumed last month.

The pressure on Setien is mounting, with reports in Spain suggesting club chiefs could show him the exit in a bid to salvage their Champions League campaign.

But if Barcelona do wield the axe, who is waiting in the wings to work with Messi and Co? Sportsmail takes a closer look at the main contenders for the job. 

Barcelona's player appear dejected during Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid

Xavi Hernandez - odds to be next Barcelona manager 7/4

One man who appears a certainty for the top job at some point is Xavi.

The legendary former midfielder, who came through Barca's famous La Masia academy and won 25 trophies over 17 years, has been earmarked for the role since moving into management with Al Sadd last year.

He turned down the opportunity to replace Ernesto Valverde when Setien was appointed in January due to a lack of experience and will not take the job in chaotic circumstances under current president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

However, the ex-Spain star has spoken openly about his desire to take charge at the Nou Camp one day and he could be lured back as early as next summer once the club have held an election to replace Bartomeu.

Just last week, Xavi said: 'The biggest hope I have now is to be Barca coach and get Barca back to winning ways.

Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez appears certain to manage the club in the future

'Not me but these players and Barca triumphing. And as a consequence, our technical staff, who are preparing for it a lot and it makes us really excited.

'I'm a club man. I would like to return at the right moment to start a project from zero.

'I've said it a lot of times but I want to take footballing decisions at Barcelona.

'It's clear that after the elections the stage would be set, of course. I'm not ruling anything out.

'They came for me in January, we were speaking. I told them the circumstances and timing weren't right.'

Although replacing Setien in the coming weeks does not appear to fit with Xavi's vision for the future, he remains the bookmakers' favourite for the job. 

Legendary midfielder Xavi has admitted that he wants to return to the Nou Camp as boss

Marcelo Gallardo - 4/1

During a difficult period for Barcelona before Christmas, Marcelo Gallardo emerged as a candidate to replace Ernesto Valverde in the Barcelona dugout.

The River Plate boss has developed a reputation for playing attractive football in Argentina and has two Copa Libertadores titles - and a runners-up medal - to his name during six years at the club.

Reports have also suggested that he is the preferred choice of compatriot Lionel Messi, who is undoubtedly the most important voice in the Barca dressing room.

Gallardo, 44, ultimately missed out on the job in January but remains under consideration at the Nou Camp and is the second-favourite among the bookies.

Speaking about his future late last year, Gallardo said: 'I am not interested in generating any kind of uncertainty. 

'My wish is to continue with this team. I never had doubts about staying. 

'Being here is hard with the requirements you put on yourself and what it means to be in charge of this club. That's why you have to stop and reflect. 

'Beyond my contract, which expires in December 2021, there is no clause. The leadership and I have a very cordial relationship.'

River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo has been linked with the Barca job for over six months

Javier Garcia Pimienta - 5/1

The least recognisable name on the list is that of Javier Garcia Pimienta, the current manager of Barcelona's B team.

The Catalan giants have a history of promoting from within - most notably with Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova - and it would not be a surprise if they opted to do the same again, perhaps on a short-term basis.

Pimienta came through Barcelona's academy but made just one senior appearance before continuing his career in the lower leagues. He retired in 2004 aged 29.

He returned to the Nou Camp as a youth coach in 2006 and has worked his way up through the youth sides over the last 14 years, eventually becoming Barca's B-team boss in 2018.

The 45-year-old does not possess the aura or reputation which Barcelona's star names look for in a manager, while his experience at the highest level is also an issue.

Earlier this week, Pimienta and his staff had had their contracts extended until the end of next season, with the option of a further year. 

He is the third-favourite for the first-team job, although his appointment is unlikely to appease a fanbase frustrated with the way the season has played out on and off the pitch. 

Barcelona B team boss Javier Garcia Pimienta could make the step up to the first team

Roberto Martinez - 10/1

It was last summer that Roberto Martinez emerged as the surprise front-runner for the Barcelona job with the bookmakers - and he's still near the top of the list.

The Spaniard suffered relegation at Wigan and was hounded out of Everton by unhappy fans, but his style of football appeals to the decision-makers at the Nou Camp.

Martinez has also patched-up his reputation after that bruising spell at Goodison Park, having taken charge of the Belgium nation team in the wake of Euro 2016.

He led the Red Devils to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, losing 1-0 to eventual winners France before beating England in the third-place play-off.

The likable 46-year-old refused to rule out a shock switch to the Nou Camp last summer, telling Marca: 'I won't say yes to any team without first talking with [the president of the Royal Belgian Football Federation,] Bart [Verhaeghe,] and [the vice-president,] Mehdi [Bayat].'

Had Euro 2020 gone ahead as planned this summer, a move for Martinez before the start of next season would have appeared more likely.

However, he remains fourth-favourite with the bookies as Barca weigh-up whether to get rid of Setien after just six months.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez refused to rule out a move to Barcelona last summer 

Mauricio Pochettino - 12/1

Despite ruling himself out of the job, it seems Barcelona's hierarchy have not yet given up on the idea of appointing Pochettino.

The Argentine remains one of the most highly-rated managers in Europe after turning Tottenham into Premier League and Champions League contenders.

And despite being given the boot by Daniel Levy earlier this season, Pochettino is likely to have clubs queuing at his door this summer.

Barca would certainly be interested in the 48-year-old - particularly as they would not need to pay any compensation for him - but whether Pochettino would go back on his word is another question entirely.

The former Southampton boss played for and managed Espanyol - local rivals of Barca - and previously insisted he would never take charge at the Nou Camp.

After being seen with club president Bartomeu in 2017, Pochettino said: 'It was a coincidence in a bar in Barcelona.

Mauricio Pochettino is free to join another club after being sacked by Tottenham this season

'I know him [Bartomeu] for a long time – before he became chairman of Barcelona. Our children went to the same school in Barcelona.

'We spent five minutes together. That was the reality. After that you know the rumour is impossible to stop.

'But I am an Espanyol supporter. I don't think I need to speak too much. It's like if one day [the Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy sacked me – in a few years it would be impossible for me to manage Arsenal. 

'In football I know it is so difficult to keep your values and to be loyal – with your heart and emotion. But for me before being a manager, before being a player, being loyal is more important. 

'I am an Espanyol fan. I love Espanyol. It's like Tottenham for me now. It will be impossible, one day, to move to Arsenal. It will be impossible.' 

Ronald Koeman - 12/1

Another Everton flop heavily linked with the job over the last year is Koeman.

The Dutchman, like Xavi, benefits from his extraordinary career as a player at the Nou Camp, having won 10 trophies during six years at the club.

And despite a nomadic managerial career, which has seen him take charge of nine clubs in just 17 years, he remains extremely popular among supporters.

Speculation went into overdrive on Wednesday when Koeman, who is currently boss of the Holland national team, was pictured moving house in Barcelona. 

The 57-year-old also recently confirmed that he had turned down an approach from his old club before Setien was appointed in January.

'I had a call from Barcelona, but I wanted to keep my word and manage the Netherlands in the European Championship,' he told Catalunya Radio.

'I have the possibility to leave after the tournament, but now is not the time to think about that.'

Koeman is the sixth-favourite among the bookmakers to take charge at Barcelona, although the opportunity may arrive too soon if Setien is axed this summer.

Ronald Koeman turned down an offer from Barcelona in January but remains in their thoughts