FOOTBALL – Koeman is once again front page news. But this time in a positive sense. FC Barcelona has now put an end to all speculation about who will be the manager next season.
Ronald Koeman will also be coach of FC Barcelona next season. On Wednesday evening, a conversation was held by club management with Koeman and assistant coaches Alfred Schreuder and Henrik Larsson. On Thursday morning, club president Laporta announced FC Barcelona will stop looking for another trainer and will retain Koeman next season.
When did the controversy surrounding FC Barcelona and Koeman start?
The position of the 58-year-old Dutch trainer was put into doubt after FC Barcelona only managed to win the Copa del Rey last season. In La Liga, the title was lost in the final phase and Barça played no significant role in Europe. President Laporta, elected in March, openly doubted whether Koeman could lead the club back to the European top.
Laporta said during a press conference that he wanted to look for another trainer. But said, if he could not find one, he would like to continue with Koeman. After the “bomb” Laporta dropped, all kinds of wild stories circulated about the Dutchman’s health. However, at the end of May, he announced via his Twitter account that he is doing well.
Spanish and Catalan newspapers happy with decision
Spanish and Catalan media praise the patience of the Dutch trainer after it became known that Laporta initially wanted to look for another trainer. The media believe that Koeman has not deserved the way the current FC Barcelona president has treated him.
Despite all the problems
The technical staff is also happy that Koeman will stay. Moreover, they think that he has done very well, given all the problems at FC Barcelona. According to them, he deserves the confidence to continue for another season.
Influence contracting top football players
After this news, Koeman can start preparing for the coming season at the club. The fact that he will continue as manager for another season is also likely to affect two possible new players at FC Barcelona. These are, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Not only will Koeman remain at the Camp Nou for at least another season, Barcelona also confirmed that former player Jordi Cruijff will return to the club. Cruijff, who played in the main force under the care of his father in the mid-nineties, will be assigned a role in the organisation.
