Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is allowed to continue at FC Barcelona. That was decided after the 3-0 defeat against Benfica Lisbon.
The board of the badly ailing traditional club had discussed the future of the Dutch coach in a nightly meeting. It was not until around 4 a.m. that it was decided according to Spanish media reports that the 58-year-old could continue for the time being.
As “Sport” and “Marca” reported in unison, Koeman will in any case still be the coach of the Catalans in the top game of the Spanish league on Saturday against Atletico Madrid (9 pm). However, the former bond coach is not allowed to sit on the bench. Koeman is still in suspension after a red card in the game against Cadiz.
The club of ÖFB legionnaire Yusuf Demir has recently stumbled heavily, conceding two 3-0 defeats in the Champions League against Bayern and Benfica. In the Spanish championship, too, the “Blaugrana” lag behind arch-rivals Real Madrid with sixth place.
Koeman had only taken over the reign of the financially stricken Catalans in the summer of 2020. The Dutchman had already been counted in the last few weeks and spoke publicly about arguments with club boss Joan Laporta.
In the event of an expulsion, the club would have to compensate the Dutch coach with around six million euros. With this sum, the 58-year-old bought himself out of his contract with the Dutch Football Association. But the traditional Spanish club probably doesn't have that money. Should there be a bitter defeat against Atletico, Koeman's days as Barcelona boss could still be numbered. Finally, the international break follows – traditionally a good time to change coach.
