Ronald Koeman’s delayed sacking at Barcelona: A stitch that was not made in time

As Memphis Depay stepped up to take Barcelona’s penalty late in the second half against Rayo Vallecano, just over ten thousand fans in the stadium clasped their fists and looked to the skies hoping for a miracle. The Dutch international had won the penalty quite cleanly, and it seemed inevitable at that point that Barcelona find their way back into the game.

Memphis hopped and skipped onto his trademark short run-up. The anxiousness inside Estadio de Vallecas peaked.

He fired a strong shot towards the bottom left corner but Stole Dimitrievski had the same idea. The goalkeeper cast a nonchalant glance at the lurking threat before heroically diving in the right direction, making the miracle possible for the Los Franjirrojos faithful.

Barcelona’s number nine could be seen kicking himself even after the squandered opportunity. His face exuded rage as he threw his arms in frustration.

The Catalan team eventually came out as the losers from the clash, but little did Memphis know that his penalty miss was the catalyst in a huge decision. And as God always designs tiny intricacies to glitter the gold, Dimitrievski became the protagonist of a story where he not only fulfilled the prayers of the home fans but also conjured a miracle for (most) fans of his opposition.

On the same night, Barcelona announced their decision to dismiss Ronald Koeman from his duties. The announcement came late at night, as has traditionally been the case with the Blaugranas.

The Dutchman etched his name in gold as a player, for it was his wonder goal that won Barcelona their first-ever European title. Yet, during his tenure as the manager for the club he so deeply adored, he could not get even remotely close to an accomplishment worth mentioning in the same line as his legacy as a player.

The writing was on the wall for a long time. Koeman was living on a combination of goodwill and fortune over the past few months. It was evident that he had overstayed his welcome. Yet, like that stubborn guest who refuses to leave, Koeman repudiated his flaws till the very last second.

The journey with Koeman was a topsy-turvy one for the Barcelona board and even a personal tussle for Joan Laporta. It was Josep Maria Bartomeu who recruited the Dutchman to take over responsibilities as the first-team coach. However, the internal turmoil at the club churned out a series of events that saw Bartomeu step down along with his board within three months of the former Netherlands boss’ appointment.

Joan Laporta took over the reins of administration soon after speaking extensively of his long-term vision for the club right from his electoral campaign up until his interview after taking office. What was clear from his words was that Koeman was not his ideal man for the job.

One would expect the first change from a figure who promises a total revamp to be a new managerial appointment. Moreso when the economic and sporting crises at hand are so conspicuous.

Just as a stuntman walks into the ring of fire aware of the horrors ahead, Laporta had taken office with complete knowledge of the club’s despicable situation. That Barcelona required restructuring and a rebuild was well known. Yet, the president opted to stick with Koeman till last season end, fearing the consequences of a mid-season firing.

Truth be told, the summer transfer window should have been the full stop in Koeman’s saga as a Barcelona manager. Unperturbed by possible consequences, Laporta publicly stated that the Dutch manager was his backup option in case the club failed to secure one of their targets.

Koeman’s decision to continue past such a de bacle is indeed a corroboration of his love for the club. Yet, one asks the question, “Why did Laporta continue with Koeman after being so clear about not sharing the vision?”

The passing weeks transported the city of Barcelona into a time loop. Over the years, many directors and cinemas have tried to portray the enigma of a true loop in time. The scenes have always been captivating, with the protagonists re-living the same moments on repeat with no recapitulation of what happened the last time around. Yet, when this happened in reality in Catalonia, fascinating would be an antithesis.

Week after week, events recurred as if a cassette was played on repeat. A pre-match conference started every episode wherein Koeman would talk about the importance of the game at hand.

Twenty-four hours later, Barcelona would take on the opposition and produce one of three results. All largely in the same manner. If not for a defeat, the outcome would be an unconvincing win that quite literally saw Barcelona drag their feet past the finish line.

The conclusion of every episode came as a very entertaining post-match press conference where the Dutchman spewed out excuses and blamed the players. A short window after the match witnessed the perpetual question of his continuity, which incessantly brought out the usual reassurance from the press that he would continue.

Just as the Barcelona faithful felt the chapter had come to an end, time magically looped again. The events restarted. The misery saw no end, just like the hypothesized paradox of the spiralling of time.

Despite witnessing everything Barcelona has seen over the past few months, Laporta did not even shuffle his feet. Personal disagreements aside, his relationship with Koeman got complicated on a professional level as well. The two big powers of the club began criticizing each other openly in the press.

One could overlook the manager’s numerous flaws if he produced the results on the field.

Indeed, Koeman was not the most enchanting behind the mic. His decisions on the sidelines puzzled the players as much as spectators. Training sessions were far from intense. The planning seemed non-existent, and words like coherence, continuity and compete slowly faded away from the team’s dictionary.

If the former Netherlands coach were to make a list of excuses, it would be a bestseller. And Barça, somehow never deserved to lose. There would be no dearth for content, for the proposed wonder of literature would have a regular weekly supply of novelties.

From injuries to suspensions, international breaks to scheduling and even individual players and referees, the former Barcelona coach tried them all at his interactions with the press. Yet, as each ‘so called’ factor began to resolve, the already conspicuous reality became more striking. Barcelona were just not improving.

The occasional good display won Koeman a spell of goodwill. Yet, as the world turned their eyes onto the team for the subsequent matchdays, his team returned to their tedious, sombre, and uninspiring outlook.

The same players who looked like monsters for their National Teams metamorphosed when they put on the garnet and blue. Netherlands’ midfield maestro Frenkie de Jong looked off-colour for the club.

The very Sergio Busquets who inspired the Spanish team and led by example appeared in black-and-white at Camp Nou. Sergino Dest, Pedri, Memphis Depay, the list goes on, but the pattern repeats.

It does not require a clairvoyant or a detective to deduce the problem. Clearly, the players’ performance was subdued only when playing for the club. The problem lay at Barcelona, within the dressing room, in the form of the manager.

Under the right manager, the youngsters would have grown their wings and spread them wider. The veterans would know what was expected from them. Defenders would not be playing as target-men hunting for a desperate goal.

Certain players ‘better than Neymar’ would not be brought into the club. There would be direction, organisation and a clear idea of the project and expectations.

No level headed supporter or member of the club would criticise the manager for finishing trophyless in a season of transition. Yet, that gesture would have to be reciprocated by the coach in some form.

The return of fans to the Camp Nou is reason enough for the team to put up a fighting display. To win hearts, to play like champions despite not being one. Most of all, to grow, however slowly, and show the world that ‘there is a route and we know how.’

Koeman did not provide any of it, neither the gratification nor the sense of hope. Barcelona game nights turned from paradise to plodding. And while it was all pronounced, the board kept delaying his sacking in the hope of a fairytale finish.

Did Barcelona delay Koeman’s sacking? Definitely, there is little doubt.

The man should have been walking his way the moment Laporta came in, or latest by the transfer window. They say better late than never. But they also say a stitch in time saves nine.

Barcelona have been late in their decision and do have a number of unnecessary stitches to sew now. In addition to the managerial change, they will have to look out for solutions to problems like Luuk de Jong; issues that would not have existed if the stitch had been made in time.

On the optimistic side, it is, in fact, better late than never. There is enough cloth to cover the holes now, but maybe a further delay would present a situation where the same could not be said.

That said, Ronald Koeman’s dismissal does not provide any assurance of a bright immediate future. Whether the candidate to come can deftly craft out diamonds from the mine or damages, the precious gems cannot be said. Everything at Barcelona hinges on hope. The hope that one day soon, the club will find the right man for the job. The dream that Barcelona will return to their feet and dust off the stains. The fantasy that one day, Catalonia will be the name flashing on television screens across Europe as the side that just cannot be beaten.