Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that manager Ronald Koeman will not be removed from his post, no matter how the team meets Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Koeman has been under a lot of pressure after a poor start to the season, with the latest results – just one win in the last five games – with the manager looking to the end.
Those in charge of the Camp Nou were looking for someone to fill the vacancy for a while now, but speaking ahead of the Atleti game, Laporta insisted that Koeman’s position was not in danger.
“Whatever the outcome, Koeman will continue to be the coach,” Laporta told the media via Mundo Deportivo.
“When the injured players recover, we will have other options. Koeman is the end and he is the target of Barcelona. I have spoken to him and I made my decision, he is a reference for Barcelona.
“I am grateful for the fact that he took the reins at Barcelona during a difficult time. He could have had some frustration but he has kept it high and now that the injured players are back, he deserves that confidence.
“We’ve talked, it’s not true that we have a bad relationship. A good and honest relationship. He’s a good person and I believe he thinks the same thing with me and we’re all trying to move Barcelona forward.”
The news comes shortly after one of the top leaders, Belgian manager Roberto Martinez, left the door open for Koeman to take over.
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