It was no secret that things between coach Ronald Koeman and Barcelona president Joan Laporta did not end on the best terms, but the Dutch tactician finally spoke his mind out on this subject in an interview with Esports 3.
The former Blaugrana boss admitted that doubts about his work were allowed, but Laporta's decision to share any of those to the public did not help his cause during their few months together.
"It was a complicated time for the club, especially when we did not have an acting president. Then, Laporta's doubts about the coach...you want to be there and do your best, and you know that if wins don't come you will get in trouble. He was allowed to have doubts as a president, but if you go on the record and speak about them, then all the world will start doubting you. It was a major mistake on his behalf," Koeman stated.
Koeman went on to state that given the chance to do things as he did to get to the club, he would not hesitate to coach Los Culés once more.
"Leaving the club was sort of liberating. I made an effort to leave the (Dutch) National Team. And if I had to do it all over again, I would. I have no regrets about that," Koeman added.
The Dutch coach went on about his relationship with those within the club, stating once again that the main issue came when Joan Laporta arrived.
"The team's locker room was never a problem. Never. Out of the 24 or 25 players there will always be some that will not be happy, but in general, we never felt that the players had anything against the coach. We got along just fine. All the problems started when president Laporta came,"Koeman said.
Koeman will be remembered by many as the last tactician to coach Lionel Messi with Los Culés. The Dutch boss revealed intimate details about Messi's decision and how hard it was to work when he left the club.
"I went to his house, I understood his motives. He told me some personal stuff. I wanted to keep him around. It has been hard to see him wearing another jersey. He has started to look like himself there. I have no complaints about us working together,"Koeman added.
Before the interview concluded, Koeman shared his doubts about Barcelona's desire to sign Robert Lewandowski. According to the coach, it would not be wise to splash the cash in hiring the Polish footballer, despite how many goals he can bring to the team.
"I have my doubts. Paying 50 or 60 million euros for the player, apart from his wages, for someone who turned 34...I have my doubts," Koeman said.
