Laporta lifts the lid on Koeman’s future at Barcelona

The FC Barcelona president has opened up about Ronald Koeman’s future as reports continue to link Xavi Hernandez with the manager’s job.

Joan Laporta has said Barcelona will honor Ronald Koeman’s contract and that he is ‘happy with the decision’.

Reports on Thursday alleged that Laporta and Xavi had begun ‘productive conversations’ about the latter succeeding an under-fire Koeman as the next Barcelona manager.

In an interview with RAC1, however, Laporta played down the reports. The president reiterated the club’s plan is to keep Koeman. He also confirmed he sought the opinion of his ‘friends’ Xavi and Pep Guardiola about the situation over at Camp Nou.

📌 EN DIRECTE – Escolta l'entrevista de @jordibaste a @JoanLaportaFCB, president del Barça. 🎙https://t.co/cjKGkDDkVA pic.twitter.com/8IMePlVR98

— El món a RAC1 (@elmonarac1) October 8, 2021

“The decision is that Koeman continues,” Laporta told the Catalan outlet. “He is a ‘Cule’ like us. He wants Barca to do well. He has a valid contract, and he has to be respected. I am happy with the decision.

“With Xavi, I speak frequently because we are friends. Also, with Pep [Guardiola]. I like to know what they think because they know more than me.

“The coach we have is Koeman. We are proud to have him as a coach. People can think about what they want. At no time have I ever said that it is not Koeman. I think he deserves the margin of confidence. It is a decision that is the best one. Our coach is Koeman.”