Koeman wants Barcelona changes: Our only signing was Dest!

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 4 min read

Ronald Koeman believes significant changes are needed to bring the Barcelona squad back up to its usual standard.

Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal as Barcelona finished the season with a 1-0 win at Eibar on Saturday.

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Despite the win, Barca finished third in La Liga, their first time ending a campaign outside the top two since 2008.

Barca therefore have to settle for their Copa del Rey triumph this season.

There is growing speculation that the Eibar win will prove to be Koeman’s last game at Barcelona.

But he is still hoping to be in charge of the club next season.

Assessing the Barcelona squad, he pointed out that Sergino Dest, who arrived from Ajax, was the only player brought in after his appointment on August 19.

“The squad was assembled by the time we arrived,” Koeman told reporters.

“The moment we arrived, we took on a squad that was already put together.

“The only signing we made was Dest. And for me, this squad is not at the level we want to have at Barca. That’s clear.

“A lot of people at the club think this way. We want to improve the squad.

“There are older players who have shown themselves to be of a level to play for the team.

“There are younger players who need experience to learn and be better players.

“We have to be more effective up top. We scored a lot, but the percentage of chances we take is lower than it should be at Barcelona.

“They’re going to improve as players. But the squad is not finished and it can’t be made in just one season, either.”

Koeman: I have a contract at Barcelona

Koeman signed a two-year deal on his arrival at Barcelona.

But club great Xavi is among those rumoured to be in the running to replace him.

Koeman will hold talks with president Joan Laporta now that the season is over.

“I don’t think this is my last game,” Koeman said.

“I have a contract. I don’t know. You talk a lot about this but I am calm. If there’s something the club want to change, they have to speak with me.

“We fought hard in 2021 but we lost two or three important games.

Top scorers in La Liga 2020/21

“We have a young team but we have grown. It’s largely positive. We want to win everything, but you can’t always do that.

“Atletico deserved to win the title. They’ve led for a long time and have a very good squad.

“They were a little bit better than Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“We made changes and it’s just one season, so we need more time.”