Ronald Koeman says he is 'relieved' that he will manage Barcelona next season after chiefs offered the under-fire Dutchman a lifeline following a disappointing campaign at the Nou Camp.
Koeman, 58, succeeded Quique Setien last summer and was tasked with wrestling back the LaLiga title from arch rivals Real Madrid, and to make strides in the Champions League.
However, Barca were outperformed by Madrid, who finished second behind champions Atletico Madrid, while the Catalonians were dumped out of Europe in the last 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.
As a result, Koeman had been looking over his shoulder with Barcelona's board notorious for wielding the axe against underperforming managers.
Yet new president Joan Laporta revealed on Thursday that after 'a period of reflection' the board decided to stick with the 58-year-old, giving him a chance to turn things around next season.
And Koeman has admitted he is 'relieved' by the support of his superiors at the Nou Camp after an 'intense' few weeks, as attention turns to closing the gap on their Madrid rivals in 2021-22.
'I am relieved to say my players and staff can fully focus on the new season now,' he wrote on his Facebook page.
'The last few weeks have been intense, but I am glad that President Joan Laporta gave his support to me and calm has been restored.
'The focus of everyone in the club is the same: building a winning Barça and achieving success! #ForçaBarça.'
Barcelona have already made great strides in the transfer market this summer, signing Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia from Man City on free transfers, with Georginio Wijnaldum expected to join for free from Liverpool.
pulkit10
315
even other la liga teams will be relieved by u staying