Koeman cracks: Barca boss makes plea for ‘unconditional support’
Robin Bairner
- 22 Sept 2021 15:05 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman is apparently feeling the strain of the pressure he is under, reading out a statement but refusing to answer questions during a press conference.
Two days after watching his side struggle to achieve a 1-1 draw with Granada, Koeman has been the target of much criticism.
Barcelona’s style under the Dutchman has been slammed, with the Spanish press comparing them to Stoke City after Luuk de Jong and Gerard Pique were deployed in attack for the closing 15 minutes of the Granada fixture.
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Koeman, meanwhile, insisted that he has the full support of the club.
What did Koeman say?
Reading from a pre-prepared statement ahead of the fixture against Cadiz, he said: “The club stands with me as the coach in a situation of rebuilding. The financial situation of the club is connected to the sporting activities and vice versa. This means that we as a team have to rebuild without having to make any big financial investments. This needs time.
“The young talent today could end up being the next big world stars in just a few years. In order to reconstruct this team, young players must get opportunities like Xavi and Andres Iniesta had in their day. But we must ask for patience.
The young talent today could end up being the next big world stars in just a few years. In order to reconstruct this team, young players must get opportunities like Xavi and Andres Iniesta had in their day. But we must ask for patience.
- Ronald Koeman“What's more, being in another ranking in La Liga is a great success. This is a great footballing school for these talents. In the Champions League we can't hope for miracles. The defeat to Bayern Munich last week has to be viewed from that perspective.
“The process that we're in right now, the staff and team deserves unconditional support in word and in actions. I know the press recognise this process. It's not the first time in Barcelona's history that this has happened.
“We count on your support at this difficult time. Us, as a staff and the players, are very happy with the great support from the fans like we had in the match against Granada.”
According to Goal, Koeman alone took this decision to make a statement on his future amid an apparently tense relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
