But it wasn’t a day for big tears, quite the opposite. Koeman, relaxed and calm, had words of friendship towards President Joan Laporta, whom he could hardly see when he was fired as a Catalan coach. “He’s trying to do his best. If I want the best for the club, I also want the best for the president. I have a normal relationship. We had our differences but we’re too old to think it will always be that way. A stage is over. and now I will return in January as a coach. Everyone chooses their path “, pointed out the coach, who will be in charge of the selection of the Netherlands once the World Cup in Qatar is over.
Koeman maintains that Frenkie de Jong “wants to stay at Barça”
He acknowledged that the economic situation remained “complicated” but that he sees the club as “calmer” compared to last summer. He praised Barça’s ambition to “sign the best”, went so far as to guarantee that Memphis Depay “is indisputable” for Koeman – in the national team – and that he considers that he has the level “to continue at Barça”. And he has also advocated for Frenkie de Jong to remain at the Camp Nou. “To win you have to have the best, and he is. Frenkie wants to stay at Barça.”
Robert Lewandowski is already his years … ”
Ronald Koeman Former Barça coach
But the best phrases of the day were reserved for two proper names, those of Robert Lewandowski and Josep Maria Bartomeu. On the Bayern striker, wanted by Barça – the club has already put 40 million on the table – the feelings are contradictory. On the one hand, he warns that “he is already his age …” – he will turn 34 in August -, although he also acknowledges that he is someone “who makes a difference and scores goals, which is what is needed to win important things “. “If he’s still at his level, which I think he is, it can be very important.”
What about former President Bartholomew? A praise that leaves no one indifferent. “For me he has been a very good president for this club. I don’t know what exactly happened, but Barça was at the level it deserves in recent years.” Koeman clarified, however, that he was not aware of the former president’s financial affairs while at the helm of the club.
