President Laporta backs Koeman: “He will stay as Barcelona coach regardless of the result tonight”

Barcelona have conceded a total of six goals in two games in the UEFA Champions League. Three to Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou, and then three to Benfica in Lisbon.

Many thought that the beating against the Portuguese side would be enough for Joan Laporta to pull the trigger on Ronald Koeman’s sacking, but a sit stands, it seems anything but.

As fans compile the lists of managers they have been linked with in the last week, Laporta has shut down all rumours regarding his exit:

“Koeman will continue to be the Barça coach. He deserves a margin of confidence above all for being a Barcelona legend. I appreciate very much that he assumed to be the coach in moments of maximum difficulty. He has recovered his spirits.”

He expanded on the same, pretty much telling fans that they stop looking at the result tonight as a trip for Koeman’s exit: “Koeman will continue regardless of what happens tonight. Trust the team. And especially when those injured return.”

He left the reporters with a simple statement, one that has been said to justify Koeman’s tenure at Barcelona across the season: “Koeman loves Barça. He’s a reference point.”

Source: Fabrizio Romano