October 28, (THEWILL) – Ronald Koeman, Barcelona’s first-team coach, has been relieved of his duties. Following Wednesday’s setback against Rayo Vallecano, the club’s president, Joan Laporta, informed Koeman of his decision.
This latest loss followed the club’s El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.
On Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva, Koeman will bid his squad farewell. The club praised him for his dedication to the club and wished him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
THEWILL recalls that in August 2020, the Dutchman was named manager to succeed Quique Setien. After a dismal finish to the 2020-21 season, he guided Barcelona to the Copa del Rey victory, but the club finished third in La Liga.
Barcelona are currently in ninth place in the La Liga, with four wins and three draws in 10 games, and third place in their Champions League group, with one win in three games.
With his loss to Real Madrid on Sunday, Koeman became the first Barcelona coach in 85 years to lose three consecutive classicos.
This managerial term is a disappointing end to his time at the Nou Camp. Between 1989 and 1995, Koeman played for the club alongside Romario, Pep Guardiola, and Michael Laudrup.
He made nearly 200 appearances for Barcelona, and scored the game-winning goal in the 1991-92 European Cup final, the club’s first continental triumph.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
