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Ronald Koeman will not be fired as Barcelona coach if things go wrong in the top match against Atlético Madrid. That is what chairman Joan Laporta said on Saturday afternoon.
Wim Conings
“Koeman will remain Barcelona’s coach. He enjoys a certain amount of confidence, regardless of today’s result (against Atlético, ed.),” Laporta told the Spanish press present. “He deserves that trust, especially as he is an ex-player of the club. I have spoken to him and I have the impression that he still trusts the team, especially with the prospect of more injured returning.”
That Laporta expressed support for Koeman comes as somewhat of a surprise in Spain. After the 3-0 defeat against Benfica, the Spanish newspapers already assumed that the Dutchman was working on his last days at Barcelona. In recent days, there has been plenty of speculation about his successor. On Saturday morning it was reported in the Catalan press that Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is the top candidate to succeed Koeman.
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