Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Soccer

"You cannot expect miracles" - Koeman addresses Barcelona future

Barcelona's season took another left turn on Wednesday as Ronald Koeman read a pre-prepared state...



Soccer

"You cannot expect miracles" - Koeman addresses Barcelona future

Barcelona's season took another left turn on Wednesday as Ronald Koeman read a pre-prepared statement at a press conference, and left. 

The Dutchman is feeling the heat, with the Blaugrana making a less than spectacular start to the season.

While they're yet to lose in La Liga, they had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Granada at the Camp Nou on Monday night. Such was Koeman's desperation, that Gerard Pique was sent on as a striker 15-minutes from the end.

That result came six days after Barça were humbled 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The Catalan giants are in dire financial straits, even with a €595million loan from Goldman Sachs. Last month, Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed the club's debt had soared to €1.35billion.

Big-earning stars like Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann have been moved out of the club, with other experienced players forced to take pay cuts to facilitate the registration of new players.

Ahead of Thursday's trip to Cadiz, Koeman did not field questions from the media. Instead, he donned a pair of spectacles and delivered a pre-prepared address.

It read:

"The club stands with me as the coach in a situation of rebuilding. The financial situation of the club is connected to the sporting activities and vice versa.

"This means that we as a team have to rebuild without having to make any big financial investments. This needs time.

"The young talent today could end up being the next big world stars in just a few years. In order to reconstruct this team, young players must get opportunities like Xavi and Andres Iniesta had in their day. But we must ask for patience.

"What's more, being in another ranking in La Liga is a great success. This is a great footballing school for these talents. In the Champions League we can't expect miracles. The defeat to Bayern Munich last week has to be viewed from that perspective.

"The process that we're in right now, the staff and team deserves unconditional support in word and in actions. I know the press recognise this process. It's not the first time in Barcelona's history that this has happened.

"We count on your support at this difficult time. Us, as a staff and the players, are very happy with the great support from the fans like we had in the match against Granada."

Derby deducted 12 points as they officially enter administration

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Barcelona La Liga Ronald Koeman