Laporta reveals gut-wrenching message to Koeman after becoming Barcelona president – “You are not the coach”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has disclosed the blunt moment he informed club icon Ronald Koeman that he would not be part of the new regime’s long-term plans, recounting the exchange in an excerpt from his forthcoming book, This is how we have saved Barça, serialised by Diario SPORT.

Hours after reclaiming the presidency in March 2021, Laporta was confronted by Koeman and his agent, Rob Jansen, in a face-to-face meeting. “Ronald came to see me … and asked me: ‘Am I your coach?’” Laporta recalled. “And I tell him: ‘Ronald, for me you are a legend; I cried at Wembley, but I have to tell you that you are not.’”

The Dutchman, who scored the goal that delivered Barça’s first European Cup in 1992, reacted poorly to the verdict. “He didn’t take it well at all,” Laporta admitted, adding that his original intention was to install then-Germany boss Hansi Flick. With Flick unavailable, Koeman remained in the dugout on a provisional basis until a 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano in late October sealed his fate. Xavi Hernández was subsequently appointed, a move Laporta credits with revitalising the club during a period of “maximum difficulty.”

Although the dismissal fractured their relationship, Laporta insists the rift has since healed. “With the passage of time we have recomposed that relationship. Ronald is a great professional and a great person.”