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BARCELONA

Koeman to stay at Camp Nou but Laporta imposes team style

According to SER Catalunya, Ronald Koeman will remain as manager at Barcelona but Joan Laporta wants a settled 4-3-3 formation on the pitch.

Ronald Koeman during the Champions League second leg against PSG.
FRANCK FIFEAFP

Ronald Koeman will remain at Barcelona for another season with the club expected to make an announcement confirming the Dutchman as manager for the 2021-22 campaign later this week, according to radio station SER Catalunya. According to reports, Barça president Joan Laporta, who is busy trying to keep Leo Messi at Camp Nou beyond his current contract, had been seeking a replacement for Koeman but has failed to find a suitable candidate, handing the former Netherlands and Valencia coach a stay of execution until the end of his deal next summer.

Laporta had indicated during the presentations this week of Sergio Agüero and Eric García that he was leaning towards retaining Koeman and talks between, coach, president and vice-president Rafa Yuste and sporting director Mateu Alemany have been ongoing over the past few days. Chief among the negotiations has been Laporta’s preference for a settled style on the pitch. Koeman used a variety of formations during his first season in charge, often opting for three at the back, but his employer has laid out a condition for his continued position in the dugout: Barça will play a 4-3-3 and with a more attacking style.

Laporta tells Koeman to look to Barcelona Femení for inspiration

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INMA FLORESDIARIO AS

According to SER, Laporta pointed to the performances of Barcelona Femení as a blueprint for Koeman to follow after the women’s team stormed to the Liga title, scoring a staggering 142 goals so far with five games of the season remaining. Koeman apparently responded that he could do little else with what he had at his disposal last season and taking injuries into account.

Now, with a presidential mandate to entertain and to stick to an attacking 4-3-3, it remains to be seen what Koeman can pull off this season.