Rivaldo: Koeman could be first to leave Barcelona if results don’t improve

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 17 May 2021 21:31 BST
• 2 min read

Former Barcelona star Rivaldo believes results at the club need to improve quickly or head coach Ronald Koeman could be out of a job. 

The Spanish giants have lost their last two games in all competitions and currently sit ninth in La Liga, following just four victories from their opening 10 games. 

Koeman’s side will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend when they host Levante on Sunday before a tight affair against Real Sociedad in the following matchday. 

However, Rivaldo believes the Dutch manager is now under immense pressure to turn things around at Barca and desperately needs to put together a run of form to avoid the axe.

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“If things don’t improve, he could be the first to leave,” the Brazilian told the Spanish media. 

“You know, in football the first one that always the fault lies with is the coach and at Barcelona the pressure is very high, especially if things continue to not go well. 

“Even at such a difficult time for the club, the responsibility would end up pointing to Koeman.

“Barcelona is really threatened and in danger of being left out of the top four in La Liga for the first time in many years. 

“The team is not playing well and things are getting very ugly, so it is normal that we begin to think that such a situation could become reality if things do not change.”

Although the club managed to qualify for the Last 16 of the Champions League, a final group stage clash against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus turned into a humbling experience when the Italians picked up a comfortable 3-0 victory. 

Rivaldo doesn’t see any reason to believe his former club can challenge for major titles in Europe this season, but doesn’t rule out a late run if the club can sort itself in January and pick up an inspiration win in the latter stages of the tournament. 

“I do not see Barcelona being able to fight for the Champions League but things can change,” said Rivaldo. 

“If they are able to knock out a powerful rival in the quarter-finals, maybe it could be a confidence boost.”