Meeting between Joan Laporta and Ronald Koeman is over

Meeting between Joan Laporta and Ronald Koeman is over

Laporta meets with the board / | sport

They are discussing the Dutch coach's future at the club

These are decisive hours when it comes to Barcelona’s bench. This Tuesday evening there is a key meeting between the Barca chief Joan Laporta and coach Ronald Koeman, that is now underway.

Update: The meeting finished after around 30 minutes and Koeman was spotted smiling on the way out.

Unlike the meeting they had recently in a Barcelona restaurant, this was supposed to be done discreetly, but it proved impossible to keep it a secret.

Koeman turned up with his agent Rob Jansen for the meeting with Laporta and his right hand man Rafael Yuste.

Laporta wanted to wait for the season to finish before trying to sort out the future of Koeman.

The chief is deciding whether or not the Dutchman should stay. Laporta is listening to opinions of those close to him and now meeting Koeman.

The Dutchman has said in public some of the things he is now saying to Laporta and he believes he should be given the second year of his contract.

Koeman believes his squad was not good enough to win the double. They had too many youngsters and that led to errors which cost points. With an improved squad in the summer the Copa de Rey win could be the start of a new era.

Koeman believes he needs more parts at his disposal to compete in Europe. Ansu Fati’s absence hurt the team because he was bringing goals and it would be important to sign a No 9 in the summer.

He says Barca created more chances than most sides in Europe but lacked efficiency when it came to finishing. Koeman wants Haaland but may have to settle for Depay if he stays, a player he likes too.

He also wants Wijnaldum, to add muscle in the middle, and a better defence, with Eric Garcia coming to support that.

Xavi’s name is in everyone’s mouth but first we must find out what Koeman’s future is. A decision is imminent.

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