Ronald Koeman said that he is looking for a chance to make the team stronger. Barca is in a bad situation financial and sporting-wise.
Koeman has a difficult job right now
One of the most difficult jobs in the world right now is held by Ronald Koeman, the head coach of Barcelona. A position that ten years ago would have been any coach’s dream, the Dutchman’s squad no longer strike fear into their opponents in the way they used to, as evidenced by their 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, September 14, and then their 1-1 draw at home to Granada last Monday.
In a Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Koeman read out a statement in which he expressed his disappointment with where the club is at, following several rumours, leaks and ultimatums surrounding his position at the Camp Nou. Koeman, a coach with a big personality, wanted to make it clear that he accepts the challenge of rebuilding Barcelona, despite their economic woes, but also that he expects more from president Joan Laporta and the board.
Speculations about the departure for Koeman
Following speculation that Laporta wanted to get rid of Koeman, the Dutchman defended himself in his statement. In the Champions League, no miracles can be expected. The defeat against Bayern must be seen in that light, said Koeman. The team must be supported, in words and actions.
Laporta and Koeman will see each other on Thursday as Barcelona take on Cadiz at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza, and despite not planning on making a statement, the club are committed to bringing an end to the tension at the Camp Nou. The most famous war in recent Barcelona history was between Johan Cruyff and Jose Luis Nunez in the 1990s, when an idyllic relationship became unbearable. Keep in mind that Koeman is in the exact position as Cruyff was decades ago. Barca needs a trust from the fans and a big plan for re-building.