LaLiga English

New Barça president intent on replacing Koeman with Nagelsmann

Reports emerging in Spain allege that Barca’s new president Laporta is ready to make a managerial change despite the huge termination clause included in Ronald Koeman’s contract.

Even if he wins the Copa del Rey and La Liga, apparently that Koeman may still not be enough to keep his butt in the seat at Camp Nou. The Dutch boss may be in his final months with Los Blaugranas, especially since new president Joan Laporta has reportedly set his sights on a new boss to lead his project starting this summer.

Cadena Ser asserts that the new president has identified Julian Nagelsmann as the man that will lead the Culés club to help guide the club forward in the near future, with the report revealing today that Laporta’s wish to let Koeman leave would be caused by one simple fact – that Koeman was unfortunately hired by Josep Maria Bartomeu. The new boss is not keen on keeping any of the coaches or players hired by Bartomeu, and firing Koeman, despite their good relationship, would be the first step on his list of priorities.

Spanish journalist Manu Carreño revealed even more details about Nagelsmann’s link to Barcelona.

“Laporta respects Koeman, but he would not have hired him to lead a new project. He could still be around for next season, but Laporta would like to have another coach at the helm, and the one at the top of his list is Nagelsmann,” Carreño said.

The ex manager of the Dutch national team signed a two-year deal with Barcelona, which expires by the end of the 2021-22 season. If things remain as they stand, Laporta will have to make a crucial decision before the end of this campaign, since firing Koeman will be quite a costly inconvenience for the new front office, according to a clause included in the coach’s contract.