Koeman sends a defiant message over Barcelona future

After overseeing a slender final day win for Barcelona, a defiant Ronald Koeman insists his days as the club’s manager aren’t over.

Ronald Koeman is feeling ‘calm’ over his future as Barcelona manager despite ongoing speculation suggesting otherwise.

A disappointing third-place finish in La Liga, along with a Champions League last-16 exit, has poured doubts on Koeman’s future. And while the club won the Copa del Rey, it’s been a relatively low-key season.

Joan Laporta, who replaced Josep Bartomeu as club president for a second term in March, has promised changes. And one of them could be a new manager, with fresh reports linking Xavi Hernandez to the role.

Xavi Hernández, who arrives in Barcelona today from Qatar to spend his vacation, will take advantage of his stay in Catalonia to advance in the conversations with Barcelona. [sport] pic.twitter.com/WNG4Vkzvk0

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 17, 2021

But until Koeman’s end of season meeting with Laporta, speculation will probably remain rife for the time being.

Speaking after a 1-0 final day win at Eibar in La Liga on Sunday, however, Koeman remained relaxed over his future.

“I don’t think this is my last game,” said the Dutchman as per Marca. “I have a contract.

“I don’t know, but you [all] talk about it a lot. I’m calm. If the club want to make a change, then they have to talk to me.”

Antoine Griezmann scored in the 81st-minute at Eibar to ensure the Blaugrana of a 24th league win, leaving them with a respectable 79 points from 38 games (D7 L7) in third.

For better results next season, however, Koeman insists the current squad needs improvement.

“The squad was assembled by the time we arrived,” said the Barcelona coach.

“The only signing we made was [Sergino] Dest. The squad isn’t completely at the level we want at Barcelona.

“A lot of people at the club think this way. We want to improve the squad. There are older players who have shown themselves to be of a level to play for the team, and younger players who need experience to be better players.

“To be better, we have to be more effective up top. We scored a lot, but the percentage of chances we take is lower than it should be at Barcelona.”