Joan Laporta against the Spanish media. Not literally, since Barcelona president is known for being open to journalists, but in terms of coach Ronald Koeman’s future at Camp Nou. Spanish media are saying that the Dutchman will be fired soon, the Barca president denies. Publically.Griezmann and Suarez looking for revenge against Barca, Koeman watching from the standsFor days, the credible journalists were reporting about the situation in Barcelona, the ’frosty’ relationship between the president and his coach, and four candidates to replace him: Gallardo, Martinez, Xavi, Pirlo. And just as the two new names were thrown into the mix: Erik ten Hag (Ajax) and Juan Manuel Lillo (Guardiola’s assistant) president Laporta stepped up in front of the journalists and announced that the Dutchman is staying.„No matter the result, Koeman will continue to be the coach. He is a Barcelona legend and fan. We have to show some confidence. He became coach during a very difficult institutional and sporting moment. We all hope the situation can improve. Koeman loves Barca and decided to come at a time of maximum institutional and sporting difficulty. Koeman is a reference for Barcelona, he will continue to be the coach, he has a contract in force and we hope that we will meet again with the victories and the good game and I am sure that he will do everything possible” said Laporta at the press conference in front of the hotel, before the Atletico match.22:00: (1.95) Atl.Madrid (3.50) Barcelona (4.40)Not only did Barca’s president openly supported Koeman, but he also called the fans to do the same.„I ask you to have confidence in the coach, to give him a margin because he is a Barcelona player, he took the team at a time of maximum economic difficulty, sports and institutional. He has full confidence in this team, especially when the injured recover. Koeman deserves this confidence because he loves Barca, he has suffered like everyone else but he is convinced that he will turn the situation around when the injured recover. And it is undeniable because he is a man of one piece and a Barcelona player” said Laporta.”Internal war affects the players, Xavi should’t accept Barca’Clearly, something must have happened in the meantime. Maybe the candidates were not ready to take over the club in this tricky situation. Some of them have contractual obligations and can’t take over the team now, but could be free in January 2022, like Gallardo. And by that time, Koeman will already have Aguero and Dembele back and his clock will start to tick. For now, he got support from the president ahead of the Atletico derby and it was a loud and clear one. It’s up to him to keep working and trying to win.
