Koeman: If I don’t have a future, we’re going to have a problem

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 May 2021 17:59 BST
• 3 min read

Ronald Koeman says that there will be trouble if he loses his role as Barcelona head coach.

Koeman arrived at Camp Nou, where he was a legendary player in the 1990s, in the summer, inheriting a squad short of morale at a club in financial difficulties.

His future has come under scrutiny regularly this season, with Barcelona facing an uphill battle to win silverware. Koeman’s side are five points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid in La Liga, face a 4-1 first-leg deficit to Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League, and on Wednesday will attempt to overturn a 2-0 scoreline in the Copa del Rey against Sevilla.

With the presidential elections now looming after being twice postponed, Koeman says he is not worried about his own situation. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been linked with replacing him.

“I’ve not spoken with anyone,” he said. “We have to wait and see who comes as president and what his plan is.

“If I don’t have a future, we’re going to have problems because I’ve got a year left on my contract.”

Koeman on Barcelona’s issues

Off the field, meanwhile, Barca continue to know difficulties. On Monday, former president Josip Maria Bartomeu, the man who appointed Koeman, was arrested.

Despite this latest twice, Koeman says his appetite for the job is undiminished.

“In all clubs there are difficult and complicated moments,” he explained. “It is true that a lot has happened this season, but we are happy and fighting to win things. The important thing is the pitch and the games. Until the last day I will be giving my best for Barca, be it in one year or five more years.

“My motivation is the same from day one. I knew that arriving as a coach at Barca during the Covid pandemic would be complicated, and it’s only more complicated with the things that have happened.”

Koeman has overseen 38 matches in charge of Barcelona, winning 25, drawing five and losing eight.