Report: Barcelona is working on Ronald Koeman’s renewal

In a development that might not entirely please a large section of supporters, Barcelona are already working on a contract renewal for first-team manager Ronald Koeman, claims Mundo Deportivo.

Koeman was appointed the manager of the team last summer after Quique Setien vacated the post. The Dutchman, who enjoyed an iconic playing career with the Blaugrana, has not been able to replicate the same kind of success as the head coach so far.

Barcelona did win the Copa del Rey last season, but finished outside the top two in La Liga and underwhelmed in the UEFA Champions League as well. The new season has not started on the best of notes either, with two wins in three La Liga games so far.

Fans have been questioning Koeman’s suitability for the job for a while, with a large section not pleased with his tactics as well as his treatment of academy midfielder Riqui Puig. Nonetheless, all of that has seemingly not deterred Barcelona, who are now ready to back the Dutchman with a new deal.

Koeman’s current contract runs out at the end of the ongoing season and the Catalans want to add another year to that, in order to display their backing for their manager within the dressing room and in the eyes of the public.

Talks with Koeman and his agent, Rob Jansen, have been ongoing for a while, the report adds. However, the extension will be subject to several conditions and performance objectives, chief among them being that Barcelona win trophies while the manager sticks with the 4-3-3 setup.

Furthermore, the club hierarchy also wants Koeman to integrate Puig into his plans and try to reinvigorate the struggling Samuel Umtiti. The Dutchman is said to have a good relationship with club president Joan Laporta despite there having been some tensions between the pair in the summer.

However, it remains to be seen if the ex-Netherlands boss is willing to accept the conditions and objectives set by the club before agreeing an extension.