Ronald Koeman saved Griezmann's career at Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann was ready to leave Barcelona this summer, but then came Ronald Koeman and changed the Frenchman’s mind.

An average debut season at Camp Nou made Antoine Griezmann doubt his future in the club and according to his former agent, the French winger was ready to leave Barcelona in the current summer transfer window.

However, a positive meeting with Ronald Koeman, who was announced as a new Barca manager last week was enough for the 2018 World Cup winner to change his decision claims Olhats.

“Before the disaster vs Bayern, Antoine wanted one thing: to leave,” Olhats said via Metro.

Éric Olhats, Griezmann's former agent..

🗣: "Griezmann wanted to leave before the defeat against Bayern. He thought that he would no longer be part of the plan, but he had a conversation with Koeman who reassured him."

Credits: @BarcaUniversal pic.twitter.com/kLqHVfrHgw
— BarcaBuzz (@Barca_Buzz) August 27, 2020

“He felt like he was no longer part of the plan, that things couldn’t continue like that.

“He was seriously looking at it. Then, there was what we know happened and a conversation with Koeman reassured him, that he was part of his plans, that he considered him as an important player for the future.”

Koeman also spoke about Antoine Griezmann and his best position on the field.

“With all due respect he is not a traditional winger, so you have to play him in his own position where he is used to playing, in a role that suits him and where he can showcase his abilities.

“You have to know your players as a coach and ensure you get the best out of them.”

Griezmann made 34 La Liga appearances for Barca this season, netting only nine goals – his worst campaign in top-flight Spanish football since 2012-13.