If it is up to Joan Laporta, Barcelona will play in a 4-3-3 formation again from next season, reports Mundo Deportivo. The president’s demand must ensure that Ronald Koeman can stay on as coach of Barcelona under certain conditions. Laporta’s new claim follows previous reporting from Sport, in which it became clear that Koeman can look forward to a new offer, as Barcelona does not have the financial means to prematurely terminate the coach’s contract that runs until next summer.
Koeman frequently operated in a 5-3-2 formation last season, but according to Laporta he must return to the old familiar game system. In his view, the 4-3-3 system is closer to Johan Cruijff’s philosophy. Mundo Deportivo bases the reporting on conversations with sources close to Laporta and ‘credible’. Laporta should feel comfortable with a game view that comes closest to Cruijff’s philosophy, given that Koeman is not his first choice as the Barcelona leader. Laporta’s criteria refer to an attacking attitude to play and dominance at the ball.
‘Joan Laporta makes Ronald Koeman a remarkable new offer’
Ronald Koeman is said to be able to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
On Tuesday afternoon, during the presentation of Eric García, Laporta was asked about the situation around Koeman. “I still can’t answer all your questions,” said Laporta. “But the talks are going very well. There is very good communication. It does not take long before you get clarity. I feel very comfortable with Koeman and I hope he does too. There were only a few points that I wanted to clarify and that’s what we’re working on, we’re waiting for the talks to end, everything we do is in the interest of Barça. “
Laporta’s demand follows a new contract proposal, in which the president wants Koeman to enforce an extra contract year by achieving certain targets. For example, savings must be made on wage costs by lowering Koeman’s basic salary and increasing the bonuses to be earned. Koeman would be positive about the proposal and would make a decision in the coming days. The Dutch trainer was in the Netherlands in recent days, but returned to Barcelona on Tuesday.
Laporta and the Koeman camp seemed to be on a collision course last week. The president is said to have informed the coach that he will be looking for a replacement for the next two weeks. Moreover, Laporta made public that Koeman would have been hospitalized urgently. That turned out to be an exaggeration: Koeman was only briefly in the hospital for a check-up. Wasserman, the trainer’s management, declared war on Laporta in a tweet. “Imagine: I want to marry you, but I have doubts. Give me two weeks to find a better partner … If I can’t find the right person, we’ll get married!” the situation of Koeman at Barcelona.
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