River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo in line to replace struggling Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona boss
BARCELONA are reportedly lining up a move for River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo - should they decide to sack current boss Ernesto Valverde.
The 55-year-old has won consecutive La Liga titles at the Camp Nou but his side are currently sat beneath Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and newly-promoted Granada in the table.
The former Athletic Bilbao manager has also disappointed in the Champions League - dramatically blowing leads against Liverpool and Roma in the last two years.
And according to TNT Sports, Barcelona are prioritising securing River boss Marcelo Gallardo if things don't improve soon under Valverde.
Gallardo has been in charge at Los Millionaros for a trophy-laden five years - winning two Copa Libertadores titles, including last year against fierce rivals Boca Juniors in the final.
The impressive 43-year-old won the Uruguayan title with Nacional prior to joining River.
And he also had a decorated playing career, being capped 43 times by his country and representing the likes of Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as River Plate.
Prising the Argentine away from River could prove to be difficult, with Gallardo's side attempting to defend their Libertadores crown.
They face a rematch against Boca in the semi-finals of South America's biggest club competition.
The highly-rated coach is under contract until 2021 and is not believed to be actively seeking a move away from Argentina.
It is unusual for Europe's elite clubs to hire a manager directly from South America - but Barcelona have done it before when they hired Gerardo Martino from Newell's Old Boys in 2013.
The 56-year-old only lasted one year at the Camp Nou, losing out on the title to Atletico Madrid on the final day.
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Things hit rock bottom at Barcelona this season when they lost 2-0 at surprise package Granada on September 21 - which caused the pressure on Valverde to hit its peak.
He has managed to stabilise things since, however, picking up three consecutive wins against Villarreal, Getafe and Inter.
The Catalan giants next host Sevilla on Sunday.