The Blaugrana are off to a worst possible start in their first season without Lionel Messi in over a decade and a half. Having lost both their Champions League games to Bayern Munich and Benfica, Barcelona suffered their first league defeat to Atletico Madrid last Saturday, which was also the fourth time in seven league games where they dropped points.
It was being rumoured that Ronald Koeman’s trip to the Metropolitano stadium will be his final assignment as Barcelona manager, but Joan Laporta seems to be backing the former club captain to do well. There were rumours earlier that suggested the chairman was annoyed with the club’s current state, and the Dutchman was in an irreconcilable position.
Whatever prompted this shocking U-turn from the Barcelona President, it means that the club will not be looking for a replacement immediately. Laporta had a telephonic conversation with the manager, to talk about the current state and the results that were harvested over the weeks.
A vast majority of the Barcelona board members were convinced that Koeman was in the final few days of his tenure before Laporta. Due to some communication gap, the club heads found out Laporta’s decision before the Atletico Madrid game through media.
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He also mentioned in a WhatsApp message, in a group where all the hierarchy members were present, that Koeman identifies his responsibility and is keen on leading this club during this institutional difficulty. This makes things rather unclear for the fans, who are unhappy with the Dutchman in charge.
Koeman wrote himself into Barcelona folklore by scoring the winning goal in their first-ever European Cup triumph. However, his managerial stint, has raised way too many questions. Lionel Messi’s exit earlier this season and the new wage cap introduced by La Liga hasn’t helped the club either, driving the club into financial turmoil.
Barcelona have looked at several candidates to replace Koeman, as mentioned by Fabrizio Romano. Roberto Martinez and Andrea Pirlo are admired options of the Barca president, but if there will be a change, it is likely that Xavi Hernandez could leave his job with Qatari club Al Sadd and join the Catalan giants.
