Joan Laporta confirms Ronald Koeman will STAY as Barcelona boss next season with Dutchman offered a lifeline after a poor first season in the Nou Camp hotseat
- Barcelona have confirmed that Ronald Koeman will stay at the club next season
- The Dutchman has overseen a poor campaign in the hotseat at the Nou Camp
- However, Joan Laporta says that Koeman will remain in the dugout for 2021-22
- Barcelona have signed Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia ahead of a big season
Joan Laporta has confirmed that Ronald Koeman will stay as Barcelona boss for the 2021-22 campaign with Dutchman offered a lifeline following poor debut campaign in the hotseat.
Former Everton and Southampton boss took over from Quique Setien last summer following their embarrassing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and was tasked with wrestling LaLiga back off Real Madrid.
However, Barca were eclipsed by Atletico Madrid to the Spanish title and crashed out of Europe in the Round of 16, leading to speculation regarding Koeman’s future. The Catalonians won the Copa del Rey under the Dutchman.
Ronald Koeman will stay on as Barcelona manager for 2021-22, Joan Laporta has confirmed
The Catalonians endured a poor season under Koeman where they only won the Copa del Rey
But Barca chief Laporta confirmed on Thursday that Koeman would stay on after a meeting with the club’s board of directors.
‘I’d like to announce that, after a period of reflection, we have decided to continue with Koeman,’ Laporta said.
Koeman has another year left on his contract, but Laporta had said the club was considering whether to keep him in charge after the disappointing season.
Laporta said ‘after a period of reflection’ the club trust Koeman to lead the side next season
Barcelona are looking to reinforce this summer and have signed Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia
The Dutchman’s lifeline means he will be given a chance to turn things around at the Nou Camp, with the club needing a big summer to close the gap on their Spanish rivals as well as to make headway in Europe.
Barca have already moved to secure the free signings of Manchester City duo Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero.
Garcia, a Barcelona academy product, has long been yearning for a return to Spain while Aguero’s arrival has been on the cards for some time.
Koeman is desperate to land compatriot Memphis Depay from Lyon this summer window
At 33, the signing of the Argentine underlines the error of letting marksman Luis Suarez leave for Atletico, where he went on to win the title.
Koeman has been desperate to land compatriot Memphis Depay from Lyon, having seen a move last summer fall through after the club failed to offload Ousmane Dembele.
Barcelona have also secured the return of Emerson Royal from Real Betis for £7.8m and are understood to be close to unveiling Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer from Liverpool.
