In praise of Ronald Koeman, the man responsible for Barcelona’s recent form

Disorganising an organised arrangement is a fairly simple task to get ones head around. However, making sense of a heterogeneous group in disarray is a nightmare, moreover in the world of football.

Turning the clock back by a few months, Barcelona’s dressing room seemed at a similar dead end. If only Football worked as simple as arithmetics and a group of players played as well as their individual talent summed, Barcelona would have still been wreaking havoc. However, Barcelona lacked cohesion. The squad was split, scattered and in absolute disarray in the field. To compound onto the hill of problems, the side were mentally fragile. As is well known in Europe, the Catalans struggle to perform under pressure, and a large part of this is attributed to the mentality.

When Ronald Koeman took over the reins of Barcelona, the situation was not pleasant. The side harboured a permanently injured Ousmane Dembele, an unmotivated Phillipe Coutinho. The incoherent midfield was filled with deadwood, Antoine Griezmann could just not find his Niche. And the most worrying sign of them all, an unhappy Lionel Messi talking his way out of the club is the clearest sign of the shambles the Catalans were in.

At one point in the season, Barcelona were a loss above the relegation zone. And if today they are ahead of Real Madrid and the closest side to Atletico Madrid on the table, surely Ronald Koeman does deserve a huge round of applause. We have not just seen a turnaround on fortune. We have witnessed a return of the fighting attitude on the pitch, stepping up of the youth, revitalising the mainstays and resurgence of those written off. It seems a miracle, but Barcelona today is a full 180 around what they were a few months ago.

As many will argue, Koeman has not been the best tactician or the most receptive to new ideas. However, most mega-clubs require a manager that can get behind the squad and inspire the biggest of names to create perfection. The players play for him, determined to produce good results, and it was best projected in the win against Granada. There is finally order in the dressing room, an imposing personality whom even the senior players look up to.

If today Antoine Griezmann looks like he is back to his imperial best, Koeman is the man that deserves a major share of the credit. Undoubtedly, the Frenchman has been persistent and relentless in his efforts every time he takes the field. Koeman has somehow kept his word and found the world cup winner his best position in the squad.

Ousmane Dembele, who was eternally injured now plays the full 120 minutes even in back to back games. And the results are conspicuous. Every time the youngster steps on the field, he is a constant menace for the opposition defences. Dembele always had the talent, and it was well known. However if today the Frenchman is playing at the highest level without any injury concerns, once again no one but Koeman merits credit.

The same can be said for so many youngsters. At a point when Clement Lenglet seemed untouchable, the Dutchman did not hesitate from benching him when he put up bad games. And this was what catalysed the rise of Oscar Mingueza. Concurrently, his faith in Ronald Araujo has now seen the Uruguayan mould into one of the most dangerous yet disciplined centrebacks.

It is indeed the manager’s fearlessness and frankness that brings out the desired effect. He has not been scared to push the big names out if needed, and take the risk in the youth.

The steep rise of Pedri is a testament. While previous managers succumbed to the big money tag of Phillipe Coutinho, Koeman was unperturbed. It was only his willingness to take a risk that enabled Barcelona to unearth a gem.

Flashback to when the manager first arrived at the club, he was clear about his plan being centred around Frenkie de Jong. The duo had worked together in the past, and the coach felt that the No.21 would be a stalwart in the double pivot of his 4-2-3-1 system. Yet, the Dutch midfielder seemed chained by an invisible weight, unable to bring out his full potential.

A lot has been made of Koeman’s stubborn attitude and unwillingness to change. However, credit has to be given where it is due. The coach did realise the flaw and revert to Barcelona’s traditional 4-3-3, after which we have begun to see wonders, starting from the revival of his compatriot de Jong.

The renewed formation has been spectacular and breathed life in a case that seemed well dead. All of a sudden, the football of the Catalan club has begun to inspire. The players seem more passionate than ever. More than the attitude, every player on the field is finally there on merit, not by virtue of a price tag.

Every position of this new formation demands appreciation towards the Dutch manager. Right from the defence, wherein the club have suffered heavily this season to the midfield which has seemed so anti-Barcelona in recent seasons. Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong are almost all Bonafide starters because of the Dutchman. Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and to an extent Ansu Fati too owe the same to their coach, and that well sums up the Koeman effect across the pitch.

Ronald Koeman has not been flawless. A strong case can be made about his tactical approach at times, substitutions and favouritism, among others. Nevertheless, one must not overlook the positive impact that the manager has had. He took up a mess of a job but has instilled a degree of order in Barcelona. Surely, he has done enough to demand a longer tenure from the incoming board.