A new contract appears to be on the horizon for coach Ronald Koeman, who was on the verge of leaving Barcelona, as he has turned things around. Ronald Koeman insists that his relationship with club president Joan Laporta has yet to fully recover but his efforts were critical in saving Barcelona.
Last season La Blaugrana was seven points behind champions Atletico Madrid and finished third in La Liga. In the Champions League, the Catalan club was knocked to PSG in the last-16 stage.
Amid financial difficulties and complications with LaLiga, Barcelona’s problems were exacerbated in August when Blaugrana legend Lionel Messi left on a free transfer and several players had to take pay cuts to allow new signings to be registered.
Koeman is enjoying his time at Camp Nou as he prepares for a potential new contract despite his seemingly strained relationship with Laporta, who conducted an unsuccessful managerial replacement search in June.
“It has improved a bit [the relationship with Laporta],” Koeman told NOS. “But when you let things blow a bit as a club and are not clear about the future of a coach, then you get speculation. And if you are the one who is the coach, then that is not a nice case. Last week there was also something in the media, which I think was not right. That again suggests that the trainer does not have full power.”
“He said a little too much. That can be done in private. I like it when a president is committed and also asks questions. Only that it should not be in the press, that was the problem. Laporta was not wise on two occasions, let me put it this way. We are also in contact about a new contract now. Thanks to me, this club has a future. I see a lot of potential. I am open to stay here, I am enjoying myself here.”
