Koeman reads out statement in defiant press conference asking for 'support'

Ronald Koeman's days as Barcelona manager may be numbered, but the under-fire coach has come out firing in his press conference today by calling for more time and insisting that the club are in the middle of rebuilding.

Sportsmail reported yesterday that, in the wake of a difficult week which saw his side fall to a defeat by Bayern Munich and draw with minnows Granada, Koeman has just a handful of games left to save his job.

And as the pressure continues to mount on his shoulders, rather than taking questions from reporters as usual, Koeman read out a lengthy statement about the situation at the Nou Camp before leaving the room.

In total, the extraordinary conference lasted just three minutes - and Koeman also refused to answer the follow-ups from the media.

After taking a seat, he began to read from a pre-prepared script, saying: The club is with me as the coach in a situation of rebuilding. The financial situation of the club is connected to the sporting activities, and vice versa.

'This means that we, as a team, have to rebuild without being able to make any big financial investments. This needs time.'