SO we have it.
Former Southampton and Everton boss Ronald Koeman has been named the new Barcelona manager.
Ronald Koeman has been named as the new Barcelona managerCredit: AFP or licensors
Koeman returns to the club where he played his best footballCredit: Instagram @fcbarcelona
Barcelona won their first European Cup with a Koeman goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Dutch legend, who scored the winning goal for the Catalans in their first ever European Cup win, has taken over the reigns from Quique Setien after their 8-2 humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich.
And he’s got a big job on his hands – first, convincing talisman Lionel Messi that his future belongs at the Camp Nou.
Second, getting the fallen club back to winning ways after a disastrous season that’s saw Barça finish behind Real Madrid in La Liga and end 2019-20 without a trophy.
But is Koeman, 57, the man for the job? SunSport gives you five reasons why he might not be.
FALLOUT IN VALENCIA
At a club where egos are rife, Koeman will have his hands full with managing the world’s best players.
And at Valencia, during his stint as boss from 2007-08, he was blessed with a squad that featured the likes of David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata and Spain legend David Albeda.
It was with the latter who Koeman had the biggest disagreement with.
When the Dutchman took over from Quique Sanchez Flores, Los Ches’ fortunes nose-dived.
They crashed out of the Champions League, finishing bottom of their group and failed to qualify for the Uefa Cup.
At Valencia Koeman lost the dressing roomCredit: AFP
David Villa was one of the many players at Valencia Koeman had at his disposalCredit: Reuters
From being four points off the top of the pace in La Liga, they soon dropped out of contention.
Koeman called a public enquiry.
“Valencia is a ship and those who don’t want to be on board, will be out,” he said ahead of the January transfer window.
The public flogging of personnel caused a player mutiny – with Albeda and three other first team regulars humiliated by Koeman’s slaughtering of them.
Albeda, the club captain, sued the club to terminate his contract.
Two points off the relegation zone, Koeman was sacked by Valencia having lost the dressing room.
SQUANDERED CASH
After a successful stint at Southampton, thanks to the brilliant recruitment of Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle, a bigger Premier League job at Everton came around in 2016.
And in his first season he guided the Toffees to a top seven finish – qualifying for the Europa League.
Buoyed by his success, Koeman was handed a sizeable transfer kitty by the Everton board to boost his promising squad and push for a top four finish.
At Everton Koeman was handed a sizeable transfer kittyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
£140million was spent as Koeman tried to turn his team into a top four sideCredit: AFP or licensors
£40million was spent on Gylfi SigurdssonCredit: Getty – Contributor
Koeman was sacked after just 16 months in the jobCredit: Rex Features
£140million was spent – with the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson (£40million) and Davy Klaasen for £23.6million coming in.
However, that money would’ve been best served buying a striker to replace the departing Romelu Lukaku.
Nine games into the new season and Everton were sat in 18th place, following a 5-2 thrashing by Arsenal.
Koeman was given the chop, once again, just 16 months after taking over.
THE STRESS
Managing a club like Barcelona brings with it expectation among its fanbase to win La Liga every season.
If not, a Copa del Rey win and a solid Champions League campaign are a must to appease trigger-happy board members.
For Koeman, the job will bring him stress that could be detrimental to his health.
Least we forget, it was only seven weeks ago that Koeman was rushed to an Amsterdam hospital for an emergency heart procedure.
“As a result of this event you realise what really matters in life,” he said back in May.
He added: “At this moment I feel great. Which means that I can face things with a lot of energy, as soon as the ball rolls again.”
Koeman suffered a heart scare only seven weeks agoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ronaldkoeman/
Koeman steps on a private jet headed for Barcelona to take over the reignsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
According to De Telegraaf, Koeman has been told by doctors he has now made a full recovery and is ready to work again.
But when the pressure mounts, and if results go awry, Koeman’s health will be put under strain.
12-YEARS AND NO MAJOR TROPHY
Koeman started off his management career strongly in his homeland.
With Ajax he won the Dutch league twice, and scored a job in Portugal with Benfica.
But after failing to land the Portuguese title, he was back in Holland with PSV, who he led to an Eredivisie win in 2007.
The last major trophy Koeman won was with Valencia in 2008 – beating Getafe 3-1 in the Copa del Rey.
Most recently, he led Netherlands to runners-up in the Nations League.
Second place won’t cut it at Barcelona.
Koeman’s last side to win a trophy were Valencia in 2008 with their Copa del Rey winCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Under Koeman Holland finished Nations League runners-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Koeman has signed a two-year deal with Barcelona but is joining a club in crisisCredit: Reuters
TIME ISN’T ON HIS SIDE
Koeman has signed a two-year deal with Barcelona.
That doesn’t give the new boss much time to sort out his charges.
He’s joining a club in crisis, fresh from Champions League humiliation and skint after the coronavirus pandemic stripped their economic muscle in the transfer market.
Add to that Messi’s apparent unhappiness and request to leave, Luis Suarez being courted by Ajax, Arthur’s drink-driving arrest and the sacking of sporting director Eric Abidal – it looks like an impossible ship to steady.
Is Koeman the right captain to steer them clear of trouble?
Only time will tell.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
