Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman insists he has no regrets over allowing El Pistolero, Louis Suarez to depart the club and join Atletico Madrid with the ex Camp Nou striker flourishing well at the rival club.
The former Netherlands Dutch boss had summarily informed a host of senior stars that they could exit the club following his arrival in August, which led to Suarez and Arturo Vidal both moving on, joining Atletico and Inter Milan, respectively.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, Suarez’s exit – further exacerbated by the ensuing controversy over Barcelona strongman, Lionel Messi’s, failed departure – had cast a shadow of doubt over Koeman’s first few months at the Camp Nou.
Alongside a difficult start to his new life in Catalonia, not to mention Suarez’s impressive form at Atletico, Koeman’s decision has been queried, although the former defender remains steadfast on the issue.
“No, I don’t regret letting go of Suarez,” he told an interview with Goal.com.
“I always highlighted his qualities, but the decision to leave was already made by the club and by him.”