Miralem Pjanic has hit out at Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman after sealing a quick-fire move to Besiktas this week. The 31-year-old midfielder has accused the Dutch coach for being the reason for his departure from the Catalan club.
Pjanic arrived at Barcelona in a bizarre transfer from Juventus in 2020 which saw Arthur Melo heading in the opposite direction in what was a swap deal. Since arriving, the Bosnia and Herzegovina star failed to nail a down a place in the starting lineup and only managed 30 appearances at the club without scoring a goal.
Having had his chances limited and failing to convince his side's manager when given the nod, Pjanic's future at Barcelona became uncertain and the need to look elsewhere for more playing time became vital. On Thursday September 2, the former Juventus superstar lowered his salary in order to secure a move to Besiktas. The Turkish outfit are required to pay a €2.7 million fee to Barca.
In what is his first interview after his Barcelona exit, Pjanic has accused head coach Ronald Koeman of disrespecting him during his spell at the club. Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, he said: "Yes, the coach disrespected me.
"I couldn't get used to the situation I faced last year. I knew I didn't want it. I'm a player. I love playing football, this is what makes me happy.
"I always wanted to play for Barca but I didn't expect the situation to get so complicated.
"There was a point that I was playing less, things were getting complicated. And when I played it was difficult physically and mentally to be well, because it was killing my confidence, because I had no communication with [Koeman].
"It was very strange, because a coach is the one who says who plays and who doesn't, but there are different ways to do things. I am a player who can accept everything but I would always like to be told things face to face. Not as if nothing happened and I was 15 years old."
Asked whether he regreted his decision to move to Barcelona, he said: No, never. In life things that have to happen, happen. It is like that. I have fought all my life and my career, I am very ambitious, very competitive, I have reached the level of Juventus and Barca.
"I know that I can play for this team, they just haven't given me the chance to compete, to join a group, to help more."
