In the end Laporta didn’t find a better one: Koeman remains Barca coach

His job was under threat since he failed to win the title in La Liga this season, but in the end, Barcelona president found no one better and decided that he should stay for another year: Ronald Koeman is officially Barcelona’s coach for the 2021/22 season.

Finding Koeman’s successor was a public secret in Catalonia since the season ended, as Laporta, along with some senior players were not satisfied with the Dutchman. Barcelona managed to crawl back to the very top of La Liga and even had a chance to take the destiny in their own hands and win the title, but when it mattered, the team failed miserably, loosing at home to Granada and managing only a draw with Levante and eventual champions Atletico.

After those games, the title chase was over, and Koeman’s game management was questioned by senior players, according to media reports from Spain, which provoked the Dutchman to publicly defend his relationship with players. After the season was over, Laporta clearly tried to find a replacement, but other coaches either turned him down (Hansi Flick), or were unavailable to cash strapped club (Antonio Konte) or were just not too good.

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So, the president concluded that Koeman is the best option at the moment, and that he can only be better, after the club brought Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Emerson, while Memphis Depay’s arrival is now imminent, since he tied his Barca future with Koeman’s contract. If you count Gini Wijnaldum, whose contract is being drawn as we speak, the Dutchman will have better options in the upcoming season, and only La Liga title will save his job.

"After a period of reflection, we have decided to continue with the existing contract that Koeman. We're very satisfied with the conversations we have had. They were frank conversations and the coach's behaviour was impeccable. We found solutions to any slight differences. We have thought about what was is best for Barcelona and we're all happy to make this announcement. We see the coach very motivated and he already has a year of experience in this dressing room, which we will try to make more competitive. I think Koeman comes out of this well because he is the coach we want" said Laporta in a statement.