Ronald Koeman and the Chance to Coach Barcelona

DBasia.news –  Ronald Koeman claimed to have been offered a contract by Barcelona to replace Ernesto Valverde. But Koeman has declined the offer.

Valverde was dismissed by Barcelona in January. The 56-year-old man was dismissed after leading Lionel Messi and colleagues for 2.5 years.

After dismissing Valverde, Barcelona reportedly approached a number of coaches, one of whom was Koeman. But in the end, Barcelona appointed Quique Setien as their new coach.

Koeman admitted that he had indeed been offered to train Barcelona. But he refused as he was still bound by a contract with the Dutch national team.

“Yes, they contacted me a few weeks ago,” Koeman said while attending the UEFA Nations League draw, as reported by Marca.

“I said no to Barcelona as I was with the (Dutch) national team. This is not the time to go,” he stated.

Koeman was contracted as coach of the Dutch national team until the 2022 World Cup. However, he was widely reportedly to be heading for Barcelona as there was a special clause in his contract.

Koeman could leave the Netherlands faster if Barcelona came close. There is a special clause that allows the former Southampton and Everton coach after the 2020 European Cup.