Barcelona have confirmed former player Ronald Koeman will stay on as manager as Jordi Cruyff joins the club in a strategic role for next season.
Ronald Koeman will remain in charge of Barcelona after “very frank and straight” conversations with club president Joan Laporta.
Koeman is under contract until the end of next season but his position was under threat according to reports. However, Laporta said Barcelona have opted for “continuity” over Koeman’s contract.
Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong had spoken highly of his fellow countryman Koeman expressed his desire to continue to work under the Dutchman.
Earlier on Thursday, it was announced that Jordi Cruyff – son of Catalan legend Johan Cruyff – will join the club in a “strategic role” around football matters, making it a strong Dutch contingent in the Barcelona front office.
The 47-year-old played for Barca between 1994 and 1996 and will leave his post as manager at Chinese Super League club Shenzhen FC to take up the position.
Barcelona said Cruyff’s arrival on 1 August is part of a new organisational structure being created at the Nou Camp by president Laporta.
In May, Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague told the Football Daily Podcast the Barca hierarchy was torn on Koeman’s position and that the club’s players felt he lacked authority.
However, Koeman secured the Copa del Rey at the end of his first season at the helm but Barca failed to capitalise on several opportunities to win La Liga ending with their lowest points tally since 2008.
Laporta said “very frank and straight conversations” had taken place and added: “We think it’s the best for Barca and we are very happy to be able to announce today that Ronald Koeman is staying.
“This time for reflection was necessary… to see together what didn’t work at the end of last season”.
Barcelona have already signed Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia from Manchester City on free transfers and the Netherlands stars Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay are also likely to sign for the Catalans on free transfers given the Dutch influence.
Barca can definitely make a strong push going into next season and it will be fascinating to see them with a strengthened squad in their bid for Spanish (and European) glory once again.
