Barcelona president Joan Laporta says that Ronald Koeman will not be sacked any time soon, insisting that the Dutchman deserves time and the club's confidence.
Koeman suffers another defeat
Barcelona without Messi are in serious trouble. Having been smashed 3-0 by Bayern Munich in Champions League gameweek one, they slumped to a shock 3-0 defeat to Portuguese outfit Benfica in their second game of the group.
A brace from Darwin Nunez was enough to down the Blaugrana, condemning them to another defeat, and a place at the foot of the Champions League group.
With a game against Atletico Madrid upcoming this weekend, there was speculation that Barcelona would be looking for a new coach were they to lose.
Laporta provides vote of confidence
However, Barcelona club president Joan Laporta has refuted these suggestions in an interview given this morning. Speaking ahead of their trip to the Wanda Metropolitano, Laporta said:
“Koeman will stay as coach of the team independently of the result. He will stay. He deserves a margin of confidence. He loves Barça, he’s a reference point.”
This suggests that Koeman will be given at least until after the international break, although if results continue to slide, and if they drop out of the Champions League group stage, change may be made.