Tag: Ronald Koeman

  • La Liga rivals eye Barcelona defender, considering loan deal with a buy option.

    La Liga rivals eye Barcelona defender, considering loan deal with a buy option.

    According to SPORT, it appears highly likely that Eric Garcia will depart Barcelona this summer and join Real Betis.

    The report emphasizes the strong working relationship between Betis and Barcelona, which has been further strengthened by the recent appointment of Ramon Planes as director at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

    Currently, both clubs are said to be in discussions regarding a loan deal for Nico Gonzalez. There is a significant chance that Garcia might also join Betis, as he is aware that securing regular playing time in the 2023-24 season at Barcelona will be challenging due to increased competition and the arrival of Inigo Martinez.

    Garcia joined Barcelona in the summer of 2021 and initially featured prominently under Ronald Koeman. However, his position in the team waned following Xavi’s arrival. While his performances as a makeshift defensive midfielder were impressive, Garcia is unwilling to waste any more time being a peripheral player.

    In Betis’ case, the opportunity to sign Garcia was brought forth by Ramon Planes, who was involved in Garcia’s move to Barcelona during his tenure with the Catalan club. The sporting director now seeks to reinforce Manuel Pellegrini’s squad, and as such, the teams are discussing a potential loan move with an option to purchase.

    If Garcia departs, Barcelona may have an opportunity to secure a right-back signing. With Samuel Umtiti already released and Clement Lenglet on the verge of a permanent transfer to Tottenham, Garcia’s exit would create space for a defensive reinforcement on the right side. The internal discussions currently revolve around the idea of having four central defenders – Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Martinez – along with two left-backs – Marcos Alonso and Alejandro Balde – and a specialist right-back.

    To fulfill this plan, Barcelona is already exploring options to sign either Ivan Fresneda or Joao Cancelo.

  • Barcelona Fires Head Coach, Ronald Koeman

    Barcelona Fires Head Coach, Ronald Koeman

    Ronald Koeman has been sacked as coach of Barcelona, the club announced on Wednesday, after defeat by Rayo Vallecano left the club ninth in La Liga.

    Barca have won only two of their last seven league games under Koeman, a run that included losing to Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.

    A poor start to the season has raised the possibility of the team failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which would have enormous consequences for the club’s already-dire financial situation.

    Barcelona’s former midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is currently in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd, and River Plate coach Marcel Gallardo are reportedly among those under consideration to take over.

    A club statement released after midnight in Spain on Wednesday read: “FC Barcelona has dismissed Ronald Koeman as coach of the first team tonight.

    “The president of the club, Joan Laporta, has informed him after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad this Thursday at the Ciudad Deportiva.

    “The FC Barcelona wants to thank him for his services and wishes him good luck in his career.”

  • BREAKING: Barcelona announce Ronald Koeman as new coach

    BREAKING: Barcelona announce Ronald Koeman as new coach

    Former Barcelona midfielder Ronald Koeman has been appointed the club’s new coach, the La Liga giants’ president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Tuesday.

    Koeman, who has been in charge of the Netherlands since 2018, replaces Quique Setien who was sacked after Barca were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals in a 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich on Friday.

    According to reports Koeman and his agent were negotiating a two-year contract late on Monday, with the second year dependent on the outcome of the presidential elections.

    “Koeman will be Barca’s coach next season,” Bartomeu told the side’s television channel.

    “If everything goes OK, Koeman will be the coach we announce and will guide this team and the players with a different project.

    “It’s someone the supporters know well, not just as a player but also as a coach.”

    Koeman is a hero at Barca after starring for them as a player under Johan Cruyff and scoring the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup final — the Catalan club’s first ever success in Europe’s top club competition.

    His coaching career has been mixed and he arrives with Catalans in crisis.

    Setien was fired on Monday after the heavy loss which meant Barca finish the season trophy-less for the first time since 2007.

    Earlier on Tuesday sporting director Eric Abidal was axed, who also paid the price for the Bayern trouncing and a campaign of internal conflict by surrendering the La Liga title to Real Madrid.

    Abidal came under fire for his handling of the dismissal of then coach Ernesto Valverde in January.

    The former left-back blamed the players for Valverde’s dismissal in an interview, provoking an angry reaction from the club’s normally discreet superstar Lionel Messi.

    Bartomeu’s own position is also under threat according to reports with June’s presidential elections moved forward to March 15.

    Mauricio Pochettino was also considered as a replacement for Setien but his previous comments dismissing Barca due to his links with rivals Espanyol have counted against him.