Soccer: Barca boss may be on his way out

Barcelona are considering sacking coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer.

Ferrer is under pressure after the 3-1 league defeat at struggling Osasuna.

That result followed their exit from the Uefa Cup by Liverpool last week.

If Serra Ferrer is fired, Barcelona's former player and current assistant technical director Carles Rexach is believed likely to be appointed in a caretaker role for the remainder of the season.

Club president Joan Gaspart, who has always insisted that the coach would remain until the end of the season at least, refused to be drawn after the Osasuna loss.

"I will not talk about anything connected with the coach. The worst thing for me is that the club's supporters are disappointed. However, we shall keep fighting," he said.

At his post-match press conference, Serra Ferrer repeated his insistence that he would not resign and added he was optimistic that he could improve the club's fortunes.

"Whether I continue as coach does not depend on me. In the meantime I shall continue to carry out my work with honesty. I have every reason to believe that I can help us to improve. Barcelona knows how to play good football. This doesn't get lost because of the coach's influence."