The former Blaugrana coach spoke about the current situation at Barcelona and believes that the club has lost credibility due to the Negreira case
Ronald Koeman was in Sant Esteve Sesrovires on Wednesday for the presentation of the Koeman Cup golf tournament.
The former Barcelona coach also spoke about the current situation at the club and his most recent spell in the Camp Nou dugout.
“They are almost certainly going to win the championship and of course they have improved. These are different moments, the squad has been strengthened a lot,” Koeman detailed.
“A coach is good or bad depending on the results. I saw the game the other day when there were injured players, but there were good players on the pitch.
“On the bench was Alba who for me is the best full-back in Spain.”
Koeman is confident Barcelona will return to the level needed to compete with the big teams in Europe next season and a major help will come if they can get Lionel Messi back.
“He’s the best player in the world, anyone who can have him will be strong,” he continued.
“I have experienced his departure first hand and it was a very bad day. When I see Leo in another shirt, I still find it strange.
“I don’t know what the situation is or what Leo thinks. I’m in favor of Messi being a Barcelona player,.”
The Dutch coach also touched upon the Negreira case, with it having brought Barcelona‘s name into disrepute over the last few months.
“It affects the club’s image a lot. I notice in the Netherlands that people think differently now,” he admitted.
“Barcelona have lost a lot of their reputation. It doesn’t help. I can’t say more because I don’t know what has happened.”
Could Koeman have coffee with Laporta?
After being dismissed by Joan Laporta after the president returned to the club, the Dutch admitted that whilst it was a difficult moment, it wouldn’t stop him talking with his former boss.
“It’s hard for me, I think. We shouldn’t talk about the past either,” he concluded.
“The club will have its own thoughts on that. I’ve already said what I think, we have to look to the future.
“Barcelona goes on and I go on with my life. The pain will pass with time.”
