Ronald Koeman has hit out at Barcelona president Joan Laporta over his recent comments in the media while shedding light on their relationship.
Speaking in an interview with NOS, as relayed by MARCA, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has sent a message to club president Joan Laporta, while also claiming that the Catalans ‘have a future’ because of him.
Koeman took over the reins at Barcelona last year but has had a turbulent spell at the club owing to the off-field issues that have blighted the La Liga giants. Indeed, financial troubles, presidential change, the exits of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, are just some of the issues that the Dutchman has had to deal with.
Amidst this, the former Netherlands manager has also had to endure a difficult relationship with club president Laporta. Koeman was unhappy that his future had become a subject of speculation soon after Laporta assumed office earlier this year, despite him having led the team to the Copa del Rey.
Over the summer, speculations about a contract extension starting doing rounds, but there were conditions attached to the deal going through. The manager, naturally, was not happy with the information getting leaked. And even though he insisted that he had mended his relationship with Laporta recently, things don’t seem to be that way, judging by his latest comments.
? | Koeman: “My relationship with Laporta has improved, but something happened last week that I think shouldn't happened. He hinted that the coach didn't have all the power. He talked too much." [@NOS] pic.twitter.com/AA1lmvKwny
— La Senyera (@LaSenyera) September 12, 2021
“My relationship with Laporta has improved, but last week something happened that I don’t think is right,” Koeman said. “He was suggesting that the coach doesn’t have all the power. He spoke too much and was not wise on two occasions. That can be done in private. I like it when a president is engaged and asks questions, it just shouldn’t happen in the press. That was the problem.”
Despite the comments, Koeman then went on to insist that he does have the support of president Laporta, as well as the team, even as Barcelona go through a difficult phase. “Starting with the president, I have the feeling that everyone was completely behind me. [Also] the players, the rest of the staff and the other members of the board,” he added.
The former Everton boss then went on to claim that he is the reason why Barcelona has a future currently, adding that he wants to continue at Camp Nou. “I’m open to staying, I’m having a good time. Thanks to me, this club has a future,” he stated.
At a time when the club are going through turbulent times, it becomes imperative for everyone to be on the same page and stay together. But that does not seem to be the case at Barcelona.
