The Dutch boss had to wait until Thursday to get final approval from new Barcelona president Joan Laporta amid reports that the coach might look elsewhere on the bench.
The players and staff can fully focus on the new season
Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has expressed that he feels relieved after being approved in his post for another year. The Dutch boss had to wait until Thursday to get final approval from new Barcelona president Joan Laporta amid reports that the coach might look elsewhere on the bench. But his future looks more apparent now, and Koeman is looking forward to getting back to work as soon as preparations begin for 2021-22. “I am glad to say that my players and staff can fully focus on the new season now,” explained Koeman on his official Twitter profile. “The last few weeks have been stressful, but I am glad that President Joan Laporta has given me support, and calm has been restored. The focus of everyone at the club is the same; building a winning Barcelona and achieving success.”
Barcelona has the option to terminate Koeman’s contract without paying a compensation fee
“We will give continuity to the current contract that Ronald Koeman has,” Laporta said in a statement on Thursday. “We are very satisfied because the negotiations have led to common criteria for what has to be done during the season.” Koeman could even earn a one-year extension if he watched strong results next season while ensuring that the team plays fluid, attacking football to entertain the returning fans after the coronavirus pandemic. However, if the campaign does not go well, The Blaugrana has the option to terminate his contract without paying a compensation fee. Koeman will have the chance to take a host of new faces under his wing after the summer hiatus.
Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero have already joined on free transfers from Manchester City. At the same time, Dutch duo Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay are likely to do the same as they prepare to leave Liverpool and Lyon, respectively.