Barcelona: Ronald Koeman set for ‘showdown talks’ with president Joan Laporta over his future

Ronald Koeman ‘set for showdown talks with president Joan Laporta over his Barcelona future this week… and if he stays, he will have to sell up to TEN players to fund any summer arrivals’

  • Ronald Koeman arrived at Barcelona before Joan Laporta was elected
  • SPORT reports that boss is set to sit down with the new president this week 
  • Pair will discuss Koeman’s future and transfer plans if he stays at the Nou Camp 
  • It has been reported up to 10 players will need to be sold to fund any arrivals

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is reportedly set for showdown talks with president Joan Laporta this week, with the cash-strapped LaLiga giants facing an uncertain future after missing out on the title.

Barca were in prime position to win the league but fluffed their lines in the final weeks of the season, instead allowing Atletico Madrid to lift the trophy, with Real Madrid their closest challengers.

On top of that, the Nou Camp giants are struggling financially, with new president Laporta set to begin a summer of change this week.

While there have been reports that Koeman could lose his job following the change in hierarchy, SPORT newspaper now claim that the Dutchman will sit down with Laporta this week to discuss what happens next. 

SPORT claims Ronald Koeman is set for showdown talks with Joan Laporta in the coming days as the president looks to establish a ‘new Barca’ with a summer of changes

Koeman's Barcelona finished third in LaLiga this season, behind rivals Atletico and Real Madrid

Koeman’s Barcelona finished third in LaLiga this season, behind rivals Atletico and Real Madrid

It has been said that there is still a chance Koeman could leave the club, while even if he stays it is likely he will have to sell up to 10 players to fund any incoming transfer business in the summer window.

It looks increasingly likely that Lionel Messi will stay, with Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay also set to be added to the squad, but a number of fringe players will head out of the Nou Camp.

After two seasons without LaLiga success, having finished third and second in 2020-21 and 2019-20, there will be a real onus on the manager – whoever that is – to get Barca back to the summit of Spanish football. 

Lionel Messi now looks likely to stay but the cash-strapped club will be keen on some signings

Lionel Messi now looks likely to stay but the cash-strapped club will be keen on some signings

With Sergio Aguero also likely to come in, up to ten players may need to leave this summer

With Sergio Aguero also likely to come in, up to ten players may need to leave this summer

In the past few days, Koeman has come out swinging and pinned the blame for their disastrous season on the players.

As reported by Marca, he said: ‘The squad was assembled by the time we arrived. The only signing we made was [Sergino] Dest. The squad isn’t completely at the level we want at Barcelona.

‘A lot of people at the club think this way. We want to improve the squad. There are older players who have shown themselves to be of a level to play for the team, and younger players who need experience to be better players.’

Regarding his own future he added: ‘I don’t think this is my last game. I don’t know, but you talk about it a lot. I’m calm. If the club want to make a change, then they have to talk to me.’

Koeman's future at Barcelona is under threat, but he put the blame on the players last week

Koeman’s future at Barcelona is under threat, but he put the blame on the players last week

Luis Suarez was let go by Barcelona and he helped fire Atletico Madrid to the LaLiga title

Luis Suarez was let go by Barcelona and he helped fire Atletico Madrid to the LaLiga title