Joan Laporta 'not convinced' Ronald Koeman should remain Barcelona manager
By Ross Jackson
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is questioning whether Ronald Koeman is the right manager to take the club forward next season.
The Blaugrana haven't enjoyed a stellar year by their high standards despite their Copa del Rey triumph last month.
Koeman's maiden campaign at the helm of the club he represented for six seasons as a player has been turbulent to say the least, with the Dutchman forced to work within a tight budget given the club's ongoing financial struggles.
Despite the restrictions placed upon him, on-field success is always expected at a club of Barcelona's stature, and their exit from the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain at the round of 16 stage coupled with their struggles in La Liga haven't impressed the club's hierarchy.
Barça are currently third in the league - level on points with Real Madrid and two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid - with just four games on the campaign remaining.
Questions have been raised over Koeman's ability to take Barça back to the summit of European football, and Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez reports that club president Laporta 'is not convinced of Koeman's continuity' with Barcelona, though he added the Dutchman still has the backing of the fans.
A whole host of names have already been thrown into the mix regarding potential candidates to replace Koeman if he is relieved of his duties, with outgoing Germany boss Joachim Low and legendary Barcelona midfielder Xavi just two of the coaches mentioned.
Koeman still has a year remaining on his deal at Camp Nou and has previously hit out at suggestions he is fighting for his job after he led his side to a 19-game unbeaten run earlier in the campaign.
It remains to be seen whether Barcelona's final league standing has any impact on the club's decision whether to stick by Koeman, though if the reports are to be believed they may well already be on the hunt for a new manager.