Ronald Koeman is in his first training session as Barcelona manager, Lionel Messi is missing

Ronald Koeman had his first training session as the new Barcelona manager while his feud with star Lionel Messi continues.

After Quique Setien was fired, Koeman was named the new head of the Catalan club and didn’t take any time to pucker a few feathers in camp.

With Talisman and club legend Messi absent, the Dutchman was pictured alongside his squad in his first meeting together ahead of the new La Liga season.

Ronald Koeman completed his first training session as the new manager of Barcelona on Monday

Defender Gerard Pique was depicted dribbling with a soccer ball in the Spanish sun

Elsewhere, winger Ousmane Dembele has been depicted jogging in a light training session

The Barcelona players participated in some basic running exercises while winger Ousmane Demebele was pictured jogging in the club’s new training kit.

Elsewhere, Gerard Pique was shown with a ball at his feet as he dribbled at an easy pace in the Spanish sunshine.

Messi’s absence, however, was the main talking point as he stayed away from training at Barcelona for a second straight day on Monday as he continued his strategy of forcing a move to Manchester City.

So far, Barcelona have not announced any financial penalties for their striking captain, although the rules would allow them to suspend him without pay if he doesn’t show up for Tuesday’s meeting.

An agreement between LaLiga clubs and the Spanish players’ union stipulates that a player who misses three days of training can be suspended without payment and lose up to 25 percent of his monthly salary.

The final decision on the punishment is left to individual clubs, however, and Barcelona are unlikely to announce any action ahead of a meeting between Messi’s father Jorge and club president Josep Bartomeu expected later this week.

Lionel Messi was absent from Barcelona for the first two days of the preseason when he forced the exit

Ivan Rakitic also missed training before moving to Seville. But Luis Suarez, who has received a free transfer from the club but has not yet agreed on compensation for his final year, was present at Ronald Koeman’s first meeting.

In the meantime, City’s pioneering pursuit of Messi will not affect closing other transfer deals in this window.

Sportsmail Pep Guardiola wants two more signings before October 5th – as does Messi – none of which will affect whether City lands the Argentine or not.

A new right-side center-back joining Aymeric Laporte as part of a first-choice couple has top priority.

Napolis Kalidou Koulibaly is a destination and at 29 years old is comfortably outside the usual age group the city trades in.

Manchester City are said to lead the race for Messi but must pay a £ 630m publication fee

However, there is the realization that the middle half is an area to upgrade after refusing to part with £ 80million for Harry Maguire last summer. City sources have emphasized that Koulibaly isn’t the club’s only option. Napoli are likely to charge more than £ 65m for the Senegalese international.

Guardiola preferred Eric Garcia to John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi when City was eliminated from the Champions League – even after the teen expressed a desire to leave.

Garcia could still be used as Makeweight in a deal to buy Messi, while Stones aim to stay and fight for his spot at Etihad Stadium.

Otamendi’s future depends on whether prospects can afford his salary. It will make for a busy and entangled couple of weeks in City with another signing in mind.

Guardiola is said to have returned in self-isolation on Monday a fortnight ago after his season trip to Barcelona in the northwest. A number of players who are not in international service are returning to training while City’s Premier League campaign doesn’t begin until after an away game at Wolves on September 21.