Ronald Koeman admits he's yet to hold talks over Barcelona future
By Ross Jackson
Ronald Koeman had admitted he's unsure if he'll remain as Barcelona manager beyond this summer, saying that he and president Joan Laporta have agreed to discuss his future at the end of the season.
The Barça boss has been forced to contend with a number of off-field issues during his first season at the helm of the Spanish giants, though continued success on the field has naturally been expected of him.
Despite securing the Copa del Rey last month with an emphatic victory over Athletic Club in the final, Barcelona's season on the whole has been rather underwhelming.
Having suffered the disappointment of being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain at the round of 16 stage, they're also now out of the La Liga title race after an end-of-season collapse - taking just one win from their previous five outings - means they can no longer be crowned champions.
Speculation surrounding Koeman's future at the club has continued to grow in light of their disappointing end to the campaign, and the Barcelona boss has now admitted even he is unsure whether he'll remain at Camp Nou for next season.
Koeman: I don't know if I will continue as Barca coach, to be honest. I've not spoken with the president. We spoke when we had lunch but agreed to speak again after the season, so after tomorrow's game. We will see.
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) May 21, 2021
"I have not spoken with the president, we spoke at that meal and we agreed to speak after the season, so we will surely speak after tomorrow's game." Koeman said, quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“From the first day I have said that I want to continue and fulfil my contract. I do not regret having come, I am very happy to be here and to be the manager of this great club. My dream as a person has always been to coach Barcelona one day.
"I am doing what I have to do as a coach, which is planning the next season and talking about ups and downs with Ramón Planes and Mateu Alemany. It's my job and I'll do it until the last day. It would not be good for the club to start everything from scratch when it is known who will be the coach. It's something that I do for the love of this club and for the love of my job."
As is often the case when such a high profile job looks like becoming vacant, a whole host of names have been bandied about as potential successors to the Dutchman; Hansi Flick and Xavi just two of the names said to be in the frame.
With Koeman and Laporta discussing the Barça boss' future after their final game of the season against Eibar on Saturday, it may not be long before we hear news of the Barcelona president's plans.