Ronald Koeman has no intention of quitting his post as Netherlands boss to join Barcelona until after Euro 2020. Current Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is under pressure after a sluggish start to the season and Saturday’s shock 3-1 loss at Levante has increased speculation the Camp Nou club are ready to make a change.
Koeman, who spent six years with the Catalans giants as a player, has been tipped to replace Valverde.
Sporting director of the Dutch Football Federation [KNVB] Nico-Jan Hoogma has revealed there is a clause in Koeman’s deal that would allow him to join Barcelona if the La Liga champions are willing to pay a fee.
However, Koeman says that clause isn’t active until after next summer’s Euro 2020 and in any case he has no intention of walking away from his national side ahead of the tournament. “I can safely say that I will not leave my position as coach [of the Dutch national team] for any club [before the tournament],” he told Fox Sports Netherlands. “[The clause] is only relevant to Barcelona and it only comes into play after the European Championship. I am not leaving now, that is 100% certain.”
Koeman may have ruled himself out of the running during the current campaign but it is unlikely to stop the speculation surrounding Valverde’s position.
Barcelona could still opt for a change and they may place someone in charge on a deal until the end of the season, or decide against offering Koeman the role altogether.
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