Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 07:28• Yanick Vos • Last update: 07:36

Joan Laporta has announced changes starting next week as Barcelona have lost the championship in an ‘incomprehensible’ way. The chairman speaks in Spanish media of ‘an end of a cycle’, although he does not let go of exactly what this means. Whether trainer Ronald Koeman and his technical staff should fear for his job is as yet unclear.

Barcelona had the lead against Granada after an impressive series of victories. Koeman’s team lost 1-2 at home. In the games that followed, the national title was definitively lost. Since then, there has been plenty of speculation in Spain about a dismissal of Koeman. Various Spanish media reported earlier this week that Laporta will talk to the Dutch trainer next week. In that interview it will become clear whether Koeman will also be in front of the group next season. Next Saturday, the coach will be standing by the line against Eibar. Whether that will be the last time as coach of Barcelona will become clear next week.

In the run-up to the conversation with Koeman, Laporta announces changes. “Starting next week, you will see a series of decisions to be made,” Laporta spoke Tuesday at a Catalan music festival, quoted by Marca. “When I talk about the end of a cycle or that innovations are needed, it is because I think we should do that. We won the Copa del Rey and we are proud of that, but we were eliminated from the Champions League very early and in the battle for the national title, in my opinion, ended in an incomprehensible way. I’ve always said that at the end of the season I will evaluate the team in terms of how it was played and what the results were. And we will announce that next week, ”said Laporta.

Possibly the employment of Koeman as coach of Barcelona will be limited to one season, despite an ongoing contract until mid-2022. Under his leadership, the Catalans only scored five points from the last five league games. As a result, the title was lost and third place is the highest possible. Next Saturday, Barcelona will play for the last time this season, against Eibar.