Beleaguered Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman refuses to answer any questions and then walks out of his press conference after reading out a three-minute statement begging for ‘support in these difficult times’
Ronald Koeman’s days as Barcelona manager may be numbered, but the under-fire coach has come out firing in his press conference today by calling for more time and insisting that the club are in the middle of rebuilding.
Sportsmail reported yesterday that, in the wake of a difficult week which saw his side fall to a defeat by Bayern Munich and draw with minnows Granada, Koeman has just a handful of games left to save his job.
And as the pressure continues to mount on his shoulders, rather than taking questions from reporters as usual, Koeman read out a lengthy statement about the situation at the Nou Camp before leaving the room.
Under-fire Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman read out a long statement in his press conference
After finishing reading from a sheet of paper, Koeman left without taking media questions
In total, the extraordinary conference lasted just three minutes – and Koeman also refused to answer the follow-ups from the media.
After taking a seat, he began to read from a pre-prepared script, saying: ‘The club is with me as the coach in a situation of rebuilding. The financial situation of the club is connected to the sporting activities, and vice versa.
‘This means that we, as a team, have to rebuild without being able to make any big financial investments. This needs time.
‘The young talent today could end up being the next world stars in just a few years. In order to reconstruct this team, young players get opportunities like Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta had in their day. But we must ask for patience.’
Reflecting on the chastening Champions League setback at the hands of Bayern, Koeman admitted that crisis-hit Barcelona are not able to count on ‘miracles’ to see them through in the competition.
‘In the Champions League, we can’t hope for miracles,’ he added. ‘The defeat against Bayern Munich last week has to be focused from that perspective.
‘The process that we’re in right now, the staff with their team, deserves unconditional support, in word and in actions. I know the press recognise this process. It’s not the first time in Barcelona’s history that this has happened.
‘We count on your support in this difficult time. Us as a staff and the players are very happy with the great support from the fans, like we had in the match at home against Granada.’
More to follow.
