Ronald Koeman safe as Barcelona boss until at least November - report

The under-fire Dutchman might not be on the brink of the sack after all

Posted Tuesday, October 05, 2021 by fourfourtwo.com

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is safe in the job for at least another month, according to reports in Spain.

The Blaugrana were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid on Saturday, which means they have won only one of their last six matches in all competitions.

Koeman's relationship with the president Joan Laporta was said to have broken down beyond repair.

It was suggested that the Dutchman was on borrowed time, with Xavi Hernandez, Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Martinez all linked with his job.

But change does not appear to be imminent. According to Marca, Koeman will remain in charge until November at the earliest.

The former Netherlands head coach retains the backing of Laporta for the time being, despite a run of results which includes a dismal 3-0 loss to Benfica in the Champions League.

Koeman demanded an answer from his boss having grown frustrated with the speculation surrounding his position.

The 58-year-old also ensured Laporta that results would improve once Barcelona had some key players available again after injury.

The president may well have been won over by this argument, as he pledged to keep faith with Koeman for the time being.

A more cynical reading of the club's U-turn might instead conclude that Laporta had failed to find an adequate replacement.

Martinez did not rule out becoming Barcelona boss, but he is expected to remain in charge of Belgium until after the 2022 World Cup.

Xavi and Pirlo remain inexperienced at the highest level, with the latter enduring a disappointing season in charge of Juventus last time out.

Koeman has therefore earned a stay of execution which means he will be in the dugout when Barcelona face Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the campaign later this month.

Saturday's loss to Atletico leaves the Catalan club ninth in La Liga, although they have played a game fewer than most other teams in the division.