Koeman irritated by rumours about his job: Laporta's shown his confidence in me
The Barcelona coach was asked if he his future could be conditioned by a Copa del Rey final defeat
Ronald Koeman says it is strange to read reports that his job could be on the line if Barcelona fail to beat Athletic Bilbao in Saturday's Copa del Rey final.
Koeman took over at a difficult time last August but has steered Barca to the final of the Copa del Rey and they're just two points of the top of La Liga with eight games to play.
Despite that, his detractors point to his failure to deliver in big games, with Barca losing to Real Madrid 2-1 in the Clasico last weekend.
Asked if he would like new president Joan Laporta to back him, Koeman appeared irritated that his future has re-emerged as a talking points ahead of the weekend's cup final.
"I don't need this," he said. "We've spoken, he's shown his confidence in me. I don't think it's necessary for the president to come out and demonstrate his confidence (in me) every time someone writes something.
"I know where I am, at a big club like Barcelona, that I have to win things, despite things that are happening (off the pitch) and the financial situation. But we're here to win a final. That's the most important thing. Everything else means nothing right now."
Pressed again on his future, Koeman said it was "strange" given how Barca have turned the season around.
Prior to last weekend's defeat to Madrid, they were on a 19 game unbeaten run in the league, while his faith in youngsters -- Oscar Mingueza, Ronald Araujo, Sergiño Dest, Ilaix Moriba, Pedri etc -- has been one of the highlights of the season.
"If you like to hear my opinion about this, it's a little bit strange that I need to answer questions about this because we had a run of 19 games without losing," he added.
"We are losing one match and I need to talk about my future? Maybe I need to accept this, I don't agree. You have to do your job, you have to talk to the people in the club. I have one more year of contract.
"Before the game, I know what will happen if we win and if we don't win. I have to accept it. I took this job as a coach and I know it's a big pressure and I can handle that but sometimes it's a little bit strange."
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