Barcelona icon and former manager takes a dig at President Laporta
- Former manager Ronald Koeman expresses his dream of returning to FC Barcelona.
- However, Koeman said he wouldn't return under Laporta's presidency.
The last few days have been important in FC Barcelona's preparation ahead of their 2024/25 campaign. Be it maintaining a close check on their transfer targets like Dani Olmo and progressing in Williams' deal or analyzing the recovery of their injured players, recent times have witnessed things going in the right direction at the club.
Koeman dreams to return to Barcelona but not under Joan Laporta
However, amidst all of these, Barcelona icon and former club manager Ronald Koeman has made some serious remarks about the current Barcelona President, Joan Laporta. Though the Dutch manager spoke regarding Laporta's behavior in his recent media address, the time when Koeman was the Barcelona boss was certainly not better than today.
When Koeman was in charge, various questionable decisions were taken by then-President Josep Bartomeu, which forced Barcelona to a stage where they had to lay off their all-time club legend, Leo Messi. Moreover, many transfer decisions seemed to be sanctioned quickly to attract some viewers to the club.
Still, former manager Koeman spoke these words in a recent address,
"“I dream of returning to Barcelona, but not with this president. He does not respect the club's legends.""
- Ronald Koeman
He further questioned Laporta's behavior towards the club legends, saying,
"“Barça’s problem is that Xavi was out, Messi was out, and I was out. It is important to respect the legends of the club. Barça has not been at the top to compete in recent years.""
- Ronald Koeman
As mentioned, Koeman still dreams of returning to the Catalan club, though no one would have forgotten when he removed the club's greatest striker in modern history, Luis Suarez, for a meager £5.5 million. Moreover, El Pistolero was given his exit notification on a less-than-minute call.
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Thus, though Ronald Koeman has made derogatory remarks about the current Barca board, the truth is that it has not been a recent issue; it has been for some 7-8 years now. Also, since Laporta became president in March 2021, things have taken a gradual turn in the right direction, but still, the club is in the process of fighting for European glory.
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