The Spanish newspapers have nothing good to say about Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona after the scoreless draw against Cádiz. Despite another loss of points, the expectation in Spain is that the trainer can stay put. However, next Sunday in the home game against Levante, Koeman will not be on the bench at the Camp Nou due to a suspension.
“It seemed that regardless of the outcome in Cádiz, Koeman knew he had been convicted. And he agreed to die murderously, if the expression is allowed,” writes Mundo Deportivo. The newspaper refers to last Wednesday’s press conference, where Koeman read a statement and left the press room without answering questions, and to the stance against Cádiz. The trainer kept a number of experienced players on the bench and chose talents such as Yusuf Demir, Óscar Mingueza and Gavi, who at 17 years and 49 days is the second youngest base customer for Barcelona this century. Only Ansu Fati was younger at 16 years and 318 days. “We saw a blurry team with no resources. This could have been Koeman’s last game as Barcelona coach.”
Sport thinks, however, that Koeman can continue as head coach of Barcelona for the time being. “The draw against Cádiz does not cost his place,” it sounds like. “The Dutch trainer will continue to lead the team after the club management has decided to support him. Koeman’s position was hanging by a thread after recent controversies between him and the chairman, who did not express his support in the hours before the game against Cádiz, but instead expressed his dissatisfaction with his reading a statement during the pre-match press conference. Koeman will remain coach of Barcelona, although no one knows for how long. Because according to the chairman, the results will show the way.”
Also El Desmarque discusses Koeman’s position and his relationship with chairman Joan Laporta. “The match should have extinguished the fire between Koeman and Laporta, but actually fanned the flames further. If the shadow of resignation hung over Koeman, Cádiz has made it even bigger. With Laporta in the stands.” marca is not much more positive: “This Barcelona is a joke”, headlines the newspaper. “Chairman Joan Laporta wanted a good result, and it came. For Cádiz… The relationship between Koeman and Laporta is a marriage of convenience. In other words, there is no money to fire the trainer.” According to the sports newspaper important days are dawning for Koeman: “Sunday will follow Levante, next week Barcelona will play against Benfica. That match can definitively make a judgment about the future of the Dutchman.”
Although Koeman is not expected to be fired immediately, ASH hard and clear in judgment. Koeman’s Barcelona is exhausted, dying, losing vital functions and threatening organ failure. The club has entered a vegetative state and the medics are ready to declare the club dead. Koeman was sent off in the last minutes with a red card and that could happen again after the defeat.”