Pjanic says Ronald Koeman ‘disrespected him’

Miralem Pjanic’s move to Barcelona has not panned out in the way any of the parties involved would have liked. After a strange season at the club, he has now finally broken free of his shackles to move to Turkey and enjoy football again.

Although most of the major European leagues shut their transfer windows, Turkey and Russia are among the nations where business is still allowed to be conducted. As a result, Besiktas swooped in after deadline day to land Pjanic on a loan deal.

After his move was completed, the Bosnian midfielder spoke to MARCA to clear out just what happened during the final days of his stint with Barcelona and his expectations with Besiktas.

On his move to Turkey, he said: “I’m very happy and motivated. I arrived in Sarajevo after being presented at Besiktas and everything went well. I couldn’t accept a situation like what I had last year. It was clear that I couldn’t do that. I’m a footballer who likes to play, and that’s what makes me happy.”

“I always liked the way Barça played, watching their game. It is clear that the philosophy of Barça in recent years was adapted to my football and what I like. For me it was always a great goal to play for a club like Barça,” he added about his time at Barcelona.

Pjanic then criticised Ronald Koeman’s methods of communication, saying: “I would have liked Koeman to tell me to my face, you’re not for me. Face-to-face didn’t exist and I don’t understand it. It’s complicated because it is the first time that it has happened to me and I have seen such behavior.”

He then proceeded to say that he did indeed feel disrespected by the coach. He was then asked about why he took a salary reduction, to which he replied:

“I am someone who likes football, the economic side is always important. But what I like the most in life, after my son, is playing football.”

Regarding his future at Barcelona and whether he regrets signing for the Catalans, he said: “I have a contract, I have always spoken highly of the club, just that I have not had luck with this coach. But Barça is always Barça.”

“Do I regret signing with Barça? No, never. In life, these things happen. I have fought all my life and my career, I am very ambitious, very competitive, I have reached the level of Juventus and Barça,” he concluded.