Ronald Koeman is set to continue as Barcelona manager heading into the new season but he will be ordered to play a 4-3-3 formation, according to reports.
Koeman had come under heavy scrutiny, and his position as manager was in doubt, following an alarming end to the season – which saw Barcelona finish seven points behind champions Atletico Madrid in LaLiga while they also were heavily beaten at the last-16 stage of the Champions League by PSG.
However, according to SER Catalunya, via their ‘Qu’e t’hi jugues!’ programme, Koeman will remain in charge of the Spanish giants, who will confirm the arrangement regarding his future before next Friday.
Koeman will continue until his contract runs out in June 2022 after the club reportedly failed to find a replacement but it is not yet clear whether president Joan Laporta will extend his Nou Camp deal by a further year.
Laporta has been in discussions with Koeman over his future in recent days, and the report claims that Barca’s new president will force the Dutchman to return to a 4-3-3 formation next season.
Koeman has long persisted with a back three, and used it regularly in the run-in as Barcelona faded away in the title race.
However, the 4-3-3 formation will be ‘non-negotiable’ for Koeman, with Laporta desperately looking to restore the glory days and wanting Barcelona to play more offensive football again.
Laporta has also reportedly set the women’s team as an example of how he wants Koeman’s side to play next season.
The latest reports follow on from Diario Sport on Tuesday, who stated that Koeman could put pen to paper on a new contract that would combine an extra year added to his existing deal (finishing in 2022) and with a reduction in his basic pay – linked to the club’s effort to reduce their crippling wage bill.
The pay cut will be compensated by a spike in what he will earn in bonuses if he delivers trophies next season.
Barcelona haven’t won the league in the past two seasons while they have to go back to 2015 for the last time they lifted the Champions League.
But they are desperate for the glory days to return and have been busy in the window recently.
Barca have recruited Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal in as many days while Georginio Wijnaldum could also be confirmed as arriving on a free with Memphis Depay following him pending the sale of players.
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