Koeman criticizes Barcelona president: “I was told a thousand times that Xavi would not be the coach”

Ronaldo Koeman left the technical command of Barcelona in October last year, giving way to Xavi Hernández. The Dutchman spoke for the first time about the dismissal of the Catalan club and criticized the club’s president, Joan Laporta, who would have told him that the Spaniard would not be the team’s coach.

“I was not the coach of Laporta. I had that feeling from the first moment, after the elections there was no ‘click’. The necessary support from above was lacking. He told me a thousand times that Xavi would not be the coach, because he lacked experience. But I needed a shield, someone to hide behind,” the former Barça coach told the Dutch newspaper. General Newspaper.

Koeman also argued that he didn’t have the time and patience of the board, as he was working with a lot of injured players.

“They didn’t give me the time they gave the new coach, Xavi. I was working with a lot of injured players. Now Pedri is in shape again, and Dembele. Every coach needs time and patience on the management side”, he said.

The Dutch coach also questioned the departure of star Lionel Messi in the middle of last year, and in the last transfer window Bercelona paid 55 million euros (R$ 345.4 million at the time price) for Ferrán Torres.

“It was at the insistence of the club’s board that I agreed to the departure of some players to put their finances in order. But when you see that they sign someone for 55 million euros (Ferrán Torres) shortly after letting Messi go, then you wonder if there was something else, why did Messi have to leave?”, asked Ronald Koeman.

Barcelona, ​​who are enjoying a great moment under Xavi’s command, with three consecutive victories scoring four goals, return to the field next Sunday. The team faces Elche, for the Spanish Championshipat 12:15 pm (Brasília time).