Joan Laporta doubts whether Ronald Koeman should have received his congé earlier. The Dutchman, who was told the bad news after the lost duel with Rayo Vallecano (1-0), deserved “a margin of confidence,” says the Barcelona president during the presentation of interim coach Sergi Barjuán. Laporta does not want to say yet whether Xavi Koemans will be the successor at the club.
“Looking back at what happened, it’s easier to analyze,” explains the Spaniard. “Perhaps I should have made the decision earlier, but we (the Barcelona board, ed.) thought Koeman deserved the trust. It was a way to motivate the coach and the team.” Laporta says he takes responsibility for his possible late choice, but now declared the situation “unsustainable”: “We were in a dangerous spiral where we could have become detached from everything.”
The rumors that there would be a grudge against Koeman on the part of the Barcelona board, Laporta referred to the trash. According to him, the relationship would still be good. “We communicate with all due respect to him. The situation was untenable and he told me he partly understood that. Negotiations to terminate his contract are going well. We will respect the rights of both parties so that he is satisfied.” Those negotiations will, according to Spanish media report, partly concern a severance payment of approximately twelve million euros to which Koeman is entitled.
“I’m not going to comment on how the squad was managed, I think it was good. Ronald has tried and there have been times when things got better. There have been a lot of injuries and when everyone is fit I think we will be able to achieve our goals,” Laporta continued. “Ronald is a Barcelona icon and we want to thank him for his commitment. I told Ronald that, I thanked him and wished him success for the future.”
According to various Spanish media, Xavi would soon be presented as the successor to the Dutchman. When asked whether the current trainer of the Qatari Al-Sadd was suitable for los Azulgrana Laporta gave a somewhat evasive answer. “What I’ve said about Xavi hasn’t changed. Ever since he went to Qatar, I’ve said that he would one day become a Barcelona coach. What I don’t know is when that will be. The reports we have of him are very positive, but he doesn’t have an extensive coaching career yet.” Laporta says that he maintains a good relationship with Xavi and that he has regular contact with him.
Finally, the Barcelona chairman indicated that he would support the new coach as board, whoever that may be. “He will have all our support in achieving our ambitions. We are demanding because we aspire to win all competitions in which we operate. There are no transition seasons for Barça. Football has no empirical character and everything is possible. Sergi now has the qualities we need.”
“I want to thank the club for the trust,” said interim coach Barjuán. “I want to send a warm hug to Koeman, because we have worked together for the past few months. I come in here to a complex situation, but we got to work. We will have to form a unit. The style of play will not change, apart from some tactical concepts. That could be the solution.” Barcelona will face Alavés on Saturday evening, with Ousmane Dembélé and without Ansu Fati in the selection.