Ronald Koeman has admitted he “dreams” of a return to Barcelona in some capacity, but only once Blaugrana president Joan Laporta has left the club.
Koeman spent 14 months in charge of the team between August 2020 and October 2021 before being controversially relieved of his duties by Laporta, who had publicly admitted he was looking to replace the Dutchman several months earlier.
In the years that have followed, Koeman has never shied away from discussing his disappointment towards Laporta’s conduct, and he recently admitted that he would not fulfil his dream of returning to the Camp Nou boardroom until Laporta is gone.
“I have a dream to return to Barcelona, but it won’t be as a coach,” said Koeman, who currently leads the Netherlands national team. “I want to help players improve their technique.
“The board works in a way that is not good. In recent years, Barca’s problem has been that [Lionel] Messi is out, that I am out, that Xavi is out… The best thing is to respect the club’s legends. That is much more important that competing for players like Nico Williams.”
Barcelona’s next presidential election will come in 2026, and SPORT recently revealed that Laporta is already thinking about running once again.
Indeed, reports have suggested that Laporta is looking to sign at least one of Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez as part of his bid to convince members to vote for him again when the time comes.
Koeman’s contract with the Netherlands just so happens to run until the summer of 2026, after the World Cup comes to a conclusion.
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