Barcelona – Koeman relationship takes full twist: The club is happily planning for next season

Ronald Koeman’s future at Barcelona has been a huge point of discussion lately.

After an undeniably rocky start to the season, La Blaugrana made an incredible league comeback, climbing the ranks of the table in a fine run of form, going 19 league games without a loss. Much of this can be chalked up to tactical changes from the manager as well as players like Messi, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong finding their footing and playing incredible football. 

Koeman’s tenure is not quite as black and white as that leads on, though. Barcelona notoriously fumbled their opportunity to climb to the top of the table in a 2-1 loss to Granada at home. That wouldn’t be the only place where the Dutchman inadequately performed where it mattered: the Catalans have won only one out of their 9 big games to an especially poor Juventus all the way back in October.

A loss against Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus; and two losses against Real Madrid in the league. Koeman’s record against elite teams is worrying, to say the least.

That was the primary reason why leadership at the club were hoping to start fresh under a new boss next season. It was likely to have been contingent on winning the domestic double; if Barcelona failed to win the league after setting up a huge possibility to do that with relatively poor performances from Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid as compared to other years, Koeman was likely to have been relieved of his duties as Barcelona boss, according to Alfredo Martínez.

Joan Laporta reportedly made contact with club legend Xavi recently to ask about the possibilities of him returning to Camp Nou to manage the squad. Realistically, Xavi managing Barcelona is inevitable; but huge questions have been raised as to whether he needs more experience, having only coached Al-Sadd in the Qatari league (in an admittedly successful tenure, at that).

The former midfielder is set to extend his contract in Qatar by 2 years, although it is said to have a clause that would allow him to leave for Barcelona at any time.

Despite Xavi being the undisputed first choice to replace the Dutchman, other possibilities were Barça B manager Pimienta and River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo. Laporta was hugely in favour of Julian Nagelsmann for his provision of Cruyffian positional play and free-flowing, attacking football, synonymous with the Barcelona identity, although he has since gone under the employment of Bayern Munich.

According to a new report by the ever-reliable Sique Rodríguez, however, Koeman’s future is, for the time being, secure. Rodríguez reports that planning for next season is done with the Dutchman himself, which is a positive sign that he is set to continue.

Usually, this involves potential signings that fit into Koeman’s plans for the coming calendar, and it is unlikely that this was to be done if he were not, as of now, the foreseeable manager next season.

Rodríguez does, however, add the caveat that this is not a 100% guarantee, seeing as the scenario can always change. They are happy with Koeman’s work nonetheless, although there will be greater clarity once the season comes to an end and all options can be considered.