“Koeman likely to stay” says Barcelona club president Joan Laporta in the press conference

Joan Laporta was ought to break his silence on today morning with a media conference, in which he would be discussing Barcelona’s financial situation and the technical challenges that he will be facing in the upcoming summer transfer market.

Today, the Barcelona president has addressed a number of issues at Camp Nou in his press conference, and provided big updates on club captain and talisman Lionel Messi And Ronald Koeman’s Future at the club.

“It cannot be that we keep losing and nothing happens, as has happened in recent years,” Barcelona president Laporta exclaimed

It is the first time since Laporta had won the election that he has called a press conference, and it was to precede a very busy week in which he is trying to tie up a deal to sign Georginio Wijnaldum and decide whether a better coach than Ronald Koeman can be found.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s position at the club was under the scanner in the present weeks and Laporta has given a major update on the same.

“We already told the coach that at the end of the season we would assess, always with respect and admiration for Koeman, who still has a contract.” said Laporta on Koeman’s future.

Laporta, who was appointed the club president mid-way last season, further said that the board will have a conversation with Koeman regarding his idea of a new team as he didn’t appoint the Dutchman as the coach.

“Ronald is a coach who we did not appoint, so we need these conversations to be sure we all share the same idea of the new Barça team. We are evaluating everything that has been done in the season. His behaviour has been impeccable. We didn’t sign Koeman. We need these conversations with him to verify that we want the same Barça.” Laporta said.

“Yesterday, Koeman gave us a worrying fear. He had to go to the hospital. But luckily everything is well. I told him to calm down and take it easy. Koeman has the profile we want for our new project. The relationship is nice and healthy.”

“Xavi Hernández? “We have respect for Koeman, who has a contract in force. Do not rule Koeman out. Can Koeman continue after having told him that we’re looking for coaches? Yes. It can work. Our relationship is very good and clear. Xavi? I’m sure he will be a great coach. It’s a delicate subject because he’s a friend, it complicates it more.” Laporta further added on this subject.

On Messi’s Future….

Messi’s future at the club was looking very cloudy recently with the Argentine coming close to leaving the club and Laporta provided update on this too.

“The new contract talks with [Lionel] Messi are going well, but we have to keep working,” Laporta said.

“We know that there are a lot of talks about Messi’s future. The new contract for Messi is going well, but it’s not done yet. We hope that it will be accepted by the player. Our relationship is very good. Messi loves Barça, of course we all want him to continue. He is excited by the project. I’m moderately optimistic about his renewal.”

“You notice that he wants to be comfortable, he has some years left and he wants to enjoy them. What has changed? Well, now I am President and i think Leo likes that.” stated the Blaugrana president.

On The Club’s Future, Financial status and European Super League

Laporta said on the future ahead, “We want to explain the short-term road plan because I’ve noticed that the rhythms these days are different. We’re finishing a project which hasn’t worked. At this moment, we’re starting a new project that will give a lot of joy to Barça fans.”

“There are no things such as transitional projects. Right now we’re going through a lot of problems, a lot of teams are suffering financially, the smaller clubs as well. We wanted to advance in that point. Barça’s point is always about dialogue.”

“Espai Barça? The audit will determine the final budget. We will present an improvement plan with the City Council, we await the license to be able to start an improvement plan to start the works. Espai Barça? There will be a period, as short as possible, that we will have to go and play outside of the Camp Nou. I don’t know when.”

“The European Super League was very advanced when we arrived. For Barça it was important to be involved, Barça will never be standing on the sidelines when it comes to new movements in the world of football.” added Laporta on club’s viewpoint on the European Super League.

“We came to the conclusion that we wanted to be involved in the European Super League. But we reserved our place, this club belongs to the socios so we want to discuss this with them. I already told Čeferin that we do not plan to apologize for thinking, or pay a penalty that has no justification. If we are penalized, we will go to the Court Arbitration of Sports and we will surely win.” quipped Laporta quite clearly.

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