New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has been slammed by Manuel Pellegrini for the way he went about axing Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan striker was told by Koeman that he does not feature in his plans earlier this week and will be moved on.
Pellegrini, who has managed at Real Madrid and Manchester City during his career, believes Koeman showed a lack of respect to Suarez by informing him over the phone.
'Personally, it does not seem correct,' the current Real Betis boss told ESPN.
'One, as a coach, must have the conviction and the frontality to speak face to face with the player and tell him that he will not continue to play.
'I have had to do it many times and it hurts, but doing it by phone seems to me a lack of respect towards the coaches and the players.'
Suarez, now 33, spoke out for the first time since being cast aside by Koeman, writing on Instagram: 'There are people using my name and saying things about me, people that I've had nothing to do with in years.
'I'll speak for myself when that time comes about.'
The former Liverpool forward, who scored 21 times last campaign, has been linked with moves to MLS side Inter Miami and former club Ajax this summer.
He was one of four players to be informed by Koeman that their futures at the club are over as the new boss continues his cull following their humiliating 8-2 Champions League humiliation against Bayern Munich.
Suarez could be joined out of the door by Lionel Messi, who is pushing for a free move to Manchester City to reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola.
The duo were spotted leaving a restaurant together on Wednesday night for the first time since the Argentine handed in a transfer request via fax.
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu is said to have offered to step down from his role in a bid to change Messi's mind about leaving, but the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly ignored his calls for face-to-face talks.
City want to sign Messi but it remains unclear whether or not the Argentina star can leave for free or if Barcelona would need to first accept an offer.
harishreddy
1665
sooner or later, Barcelona board will call to Koeman and axing him over the phone
damacdoprz
711
Bartomeu’s landmark achievements: Made La Masia useless
Bought players not needed for double their market value
Sold promising youngsters for half what they’re worth
Made a mess of administration
Made a mess of playing squad by selling useful players, buying needless players & sacking coaches every now and then
Achieved the worst result in Barca’s European history
Ensured club finances are doomed for the foreseeable future by dolling out mega money contracts completely ignoring economical balance
Ensured that Barca became a laughing joke from being one of the most admired
MANAGED TO GET LIONEL MESSI OUT WHO SWORE TO FINISH HIS CAREER AT BARCA!!
Just WOW!!!
maxm70
472
Luis Suarez needs to be treated with respect for what he has done for the club Barcelona. Koeman didn't handle the situation properly.
Pibabcdest
389
Even in PES 3, Luis Suarez is the only player referred to as "The Genus". A little respect from the coach would be nice too.
akxsh
302
I don't know why people say respect and that we were humiliated 8-2, bottled against LFC and Roma. if Suarez have any sort of respect he should say okay I'll step a side like pique did , but still he needs to play in Barca don't get me wrong Suarez was one of the best strikers but now he's slow and he should understand it, he should leave by himself like what xavi and iniesta did or else coach have no option rather that terminating his contract . There's no time to be cheeky with players, need to make tough decisions even it hurts or not otherwise prepare to cry next season too with this old players
Jutbelnst
94
Relax man champion league is coming back to camp Nou 😂