Joan Laporta is largely satisfied with the transfer market so far. The Barcelona president brought in Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero on a free transfer, while right-back Emerson came over from Real Betis for nine million euros. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo Laporta promises to put together a ‘very competitive squad’ for next season.
Depay, García and Agüero were prime targets and Laporta is pleased with their arrival. However, another top target, Georginio Wijnaldum, opted for Paris Saint-Germain at the last minute. “Last week someone slipped through our fingers,” Laporta refers to the midfielder, who left Liverpool on a free transfer. Laporta seizes the transfer to expose PSG’s financing. “There are state-owned clubs that can get any player. That issue needs to be explored further.”
In the interview, Laporta also responds to Ronald Koeman staying on as a trainer. At the beginning of this month it became clear that Koeman retains confidence after missing out on the national title. It was a surprising turn of events, as Koeman and Laporta seemed to be on a collision course. In late May, Laporta said Koeman had been hospitalized urgently, when in reality Koeman was only undergoing periodic checkups. In addition, the trainer was told in an interview that Barcelona wanted two weeks to find a possible successor.
“After three conversations, I concluded that we can work well together,” explains Laporta why Barcelona continued longer with Koeman. “We agree on a lot more than we disagree. I’m happy with it.” The noisy weeks before the official announcement of Koeman’s longer stay did not leave the president cold either. “I wish it hadn’t happened that way and I told him that. I don’t like to make it difficult for others. Maybe Ronald felt uncomfortable because of what happened and the same was true for me.”
Doubts loomed at Laporta after missing out on the national title, says the chairman. Barcelona disappointed in the final phase of the competition and therefore finished in third place. “I was disappointed, because I already saw us become champions. I indicated to Koeman that I did not understand why it had not worked. I think those conversations have been good for my relationship with Koeman. It is important that a chairman manages well. “I can deal with the trainer. He also has faith in the management. He is a good person. A bit stubborn, but a good person.”
In the interview, Laporta also responds once again to the appointment of Jordi Cruijff. Cruijff will be given a position within the technical secretariat. Earlier this month, Laporta said Cruyff is a ‘wild card’, ‘in case an emergency arises at Barcelona’. The son of the late Johan Cruijff himself emphasized that he does not intend to sit next to Koeman in the dug-out. Laporta is therefore asked what he meant by the word ‘wildcard’. “Jordi is multifunctional,” he explains. “He can do scouting work, but can also be of value in the technical secretariat and he can advise the trainer. They are friends, speak the same language and know a lot more about football than we do.”