Ronald Koeman has had a turbulent summer as Barcelona coach. He lost his best player to Paris Saint-Germain with Lionel Messi, while the coach himself had previously feared for his job. The relationship with chairman Joan Laporta was anything but good, but now the two can go through a door together again. Koeman is even in talks about a new contract at the Camp Nou. Still, Koeman is still critical of Laporta, especially for his statements in the media. “Laporta was not wise on two occasions, let me put it this way,” said Koeman.
After last season, Koeman appeared to be on his way to the exit from Barcelona, despite an ongoing contract. Laporta went looking for a new trainer. He couldn’t find this one, so Koeman was allowed to stay on. A few months later, talks about a contract extension suddenly started. “One minute it’s nothing, the next it could be anything. I know it also depends on outcome. I am open to stay. I’m just having fun. Thanks to me, this club has a future,” says Koeman in conversation with the NOS.
During the interview, Koeman briefly looks back on the period in which he was not sure of his job. “I don’t look back on it with great pleasure,” said the 58-year-old trainer. “I think you should always create clarity. When you, as a club, let things blow a bit and are not clear in the future of a trainer, then you get speculation. And if you’re the one who’s the trainer, that’s no fun.”
Although the relationship between Koeman and Laporta has improved, it is not yet a strong bond. “Last week there was also something in the media that I think is not possible,” said Koeman, referring to statements by Laporta. Among other things, the chairman interfered with sporting goals, something Koeman is not keen on. “This again suggests that the trainer does not have full power. He said a little too much. That is best done indoors. I like it when a president is committed and also asks questions. But that shouldn’t be in the press, that was the problem.”
A year ago, Koeman ended up at a club that has towering debts and had to say goodbye to several players last summer to keep their heads above water. The trainer emphasizes that Barcelona must take a step back from a financial point of view. “From a sporting point of view, this club will always be good. The question is can you get back to the level where you will really win Champions Leagues and be the best in Spain for years in a row. That is not the case at the moment. Let’s hope it will come again. It may well take two years before you can really compete financially with clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea.”