Jordi Cruyff talks Ronald Koeman: “He has come to the club at a difficult time”

While speaking to Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’ program, Jordi Cruyff expressed his admiration for all that coach Ronald Koeman has achieved since his arrival at Barcelona. He also analysed the current international break situation and how it could potentially impact the team once it ends.

He was full of praise for Ronald Koeman who has indeed done a remarkable job of turning around the fortunes of a squad in disarray. Not only was the team entering a state of major transition but the pandemic has also hugely impacted many of the club’s dealings.

“Koeman has a lot of merit, not only for football. He has come to the club at a difficult time with respect to changing players, financial problems, all the institutional problems that were already there,” Cruyff told ‘El Larguero’.

Hinting towards the pandemic’s effects as well, he said: “Although he signed already knowing that it was a COVID moment, but there are so many things that have come together and that make the coaching task very complicated.”

Jordi stated that the year Koeman and his squad have endured has been extremely hectic and very eventful in many ways: “In the end, the coach can do a lot of things, but it also depends on what there is. He has had a year that is worth two or three, because it is a very busy year in all areas.”

Speaking of the change in mentality, he added that Koeman has instilled a lot more confidence into the side: “I think dynamics are important in football. Let’s say there is a time when you see yourself capable of winning in any field. And has Barcelona recovered that feeling right now? Definitely.”

“I believe that in the end the work has a reward and he has already had it. I think that being a person who already knows the environment of the club also gave him a lot of advantage,” Cruyff concluded, saying how formerly being a player at the club has been an advantage for Koeman as well.