The Camp Nou icon returned to Catalonia in a managerial capacity over the summer following Quique Setien’s departure. One of his first deals was to bid farewell to Uruguayan frontman Suarez, a South American who was allowed to link up with LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid.
Luis Suarez’s departure has been decided above Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman has claimed that he has no regrets about Luis Suarez leaving Barcelona. And the Dutch coach claims that those above him decided to part with the proven striker. The Camp Nou icon returned to Catalonia in a managerial capacity over the summer following Quique Setien’s departure. One of his first deals was to bid farewell to Uruguayan frontman Suarez, a South American who was allowed to link up with LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid. The man who plundered 198 goals for the Blaugrana has surpassed his former teammates this season, with an eight-goal return on the Spanish top race better than Lionel Messi & Co have managed. Barça could be forgiven for wishing they kept the 33-year-old on their books. But the boss is reluctant to hang out on events of the past.
Barca players are going on loan
He said: “No, I do not regret letting go of Suarez. I have always emphasized his qualities. That decision was already made by the board and by him”. There may be more rallies in the coming weeks at Barça, now that the January transfer window has opened, with Ronald Koeman adding: players going on loan? Yes. I think some players have to play games and in this club, they have it difficult”. Moving in the opposite direction will be difficult, with a shortage of funds, and Barca may have to make do until the summer. The coach said: “If we don’t sign anyone, it’s because of the club or the financial situation. With Ramon Planes, we prepared how we think the club should be. We have a plan, but we don’t decide. The new president must do it.”
Barça already has plenty of talent at their disposal, with the hope that Messi will burst into life at some point. Messi sat out a 1-1 draw with Eibar at the end of 2020 but will be arguing again for an outing to Huesca on Sunday. Koeman said of the mercurial Argentine: “Messi is fine, he trained on the 30th and 31st days that his teammates had days off. He didn’t have any more discomfort, and he is eager. Messidependencia? I think he’s still there, yeah. It’s been that way for many years, and he has resolved a lot of games. So he’s the best in the world”. Koeman added about Messi’s future as the 33-year-old continues to roll his contract towards a free agency: “Leo said he won’t decide his future now, and we must respect him. We shouldn’t worry.”