Barcelona are dealing with one of the team’s most caotic momentsin recent years. The club wants to turn the page as soon as possible after the2-8 defeat against Bayern Munich for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. That’s why they have already chosen Ronald Koeman to replace Quique Setién as Barcelona manager. The Spanish club will announce Koeman’sappointment this week.
The former Dutch soccer star will resign as Netherlands national team coach to take charge of the Spanish team to face the next season. But who is RonaldKoeman? Here we will show you five things about him and his plans for Barcelona.
Koeman as Barcelona player and assistant manager
The former Dutch international played six seasons for Barcelona (1989-1995), winning 10 titles in the process. One of his most remembered performances was in the 1991-1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria: Koeman scored the winning goal for Barcelona in extra time and the Spanish club clinched the trophy.
In 1998, Koeman returned to Barcelona, but as assitant manager. He was part of Louis van Gaal’s coaching staff. Koeman was part of Van Gaal’s team for two after before taking charge of Vitesse inhis first managerial job.
Ronald Koeman’s records
Koeman is a real legend in Barcelona. He is Barcelona’s top scoring defender with 90 goals in all competitions. He is also the team’s second-highest goalscorer from free kicks in all competitonsand penalties in La Liga, behind only Lionel Messi in both cases. Koeman is the second most prolific defender in La Liga’s history with 67 goals, behind Sergio Ramos, and currently holds the record for 25 consecutive successful penalty convertions in La Liga. Koeman is the top scoring defender in the world soccer (253 goals).
Barcelona will be Koeman’s 11th team as manager
Koeman is currently the Netherlands national team’s coach, but he will resign in order to take chargeof the Spanish side. Barcelona will be his 11th team as manager. His former jobs? Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton and Netherlands.
Koeman and his plans for a renewed Barcelona
There will probably be many changes in Barcelona squad after the humiliating defeat against Bayern Munich. Koeman also believes it’s time for a renewed team, or at least that was what he said two months ago in an interview with Radio Catalunya: “If in my team I have a 22-year-old player and a 30-year-old player who have the same or similar performance, I put the 22-year-old one. (Luis) Suárez is over30, (Lionel) Messi is over 30, (Sergio) Busquets is over 30, (Gerard) Piqué is over 30… They may have been playing for Barsa for more years, but then what? And once they’re gone? That’s why I think we have to change”.
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Koeman and his plans for Lionel Messi
Koeman wants a renewed Barcelona, but he also wants Lionel Messi on his side. “The best is Messi”, said Koeman last year during a press conference when asked who’s the best soccer player. According to Koeman, Messi should play without an specific position on the field. He wants the Argentineto be free on the field and help the team to be better. However, Messi’s future remains a mystery for now.