Players left clueless under Koeman as Barcelona president favors Pirlo appointment

Barcelona continue to struggle as players left directionless

It was another torrid evening for Barcelona fans on Saturday night as the Blaugrana crashed to a 2-0 defeat away at Atlético Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Goals from Thomas Lemar and Luis Suárez put the result beyond doubt for Colchoneros as Diego Simeone’s men ended the weekend level on 17-points with rivals Real Madrid and high-flying Real Sociedad.

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 02: Luis Suarez of Atletico Madrid celebrates with Rodrigo De Paul after scoring their team’s second goal during the La Liga Santander match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on October 02, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The result now sees Barcelona sitting ninth in La Liga and level with Valencia and Real Betis while already training the leading trio by five points despite their match in hand.

And it was sweet poetic justice for Suárez, who was deemed surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou by Ronald Koeman before the beginning of last season. In the wake of the Uruguayan’s exit from the Catalan capital, Suárez hit 21-goals in the league last term en route to helping Atléti secure their 11th La Liga title and only their second since the turn of the millennium.

By contrast, Koeman has failed to deliver La Liga success and can only count on a Copa Del Rey win last term, while Barcelona’s record in Champions League under the Dutchman is abysmal; including a current 5-match winless run dating back to last season.

To make matters worse, it has come out today that Barcelona players are said to be left without direction under Koeman, according to BarcaTimes quoting Laia Tudel.

🚨🚨🚨[OnzeTV3-@laiatudel🥇] | Some players say about Koeman during the games: “When we’re on the pitch, we do not know what to do.” pic.twitter.com/fjP0m1BCm5

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 4, 2021

It is a string of criticisms of Tintin that has left him with a number of body blows regarding his ability to manage and man-manage since his time at both Southampton and Everton in the Premier League. And unless the latest revealing fact is wide of the mark, it is no wonder that Barça is struggling under his command.

Joan Laporta left ‘seduced’ by Andrea Pirlo

Despite recent links with current Ajax Amsterdam manager Erik ten Hag having an agreement in principle take over the reigns from his countryman at the Camp Nou, Barcelona present Joan Laporta is said to be ‘seduced’ by former Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo.

QUIN ENTRENADOR VOL LAPORTA?@RTorquemada: "L'opció que més el sedueix és Pirlo. Li recorda un Rijkaard 2.0. L'opció Xavi és l'opció fàcil, la de l'entorn. Pirlo té elegància, respectat a tot el món, barat i sense experiència ni èxit. L'únic dubte és la convicció futbolística."

— LaTdT (@LaTdT) September 29, 2021

That information comes from Ricard Torquemada of La Transmissió d’en Torquemada on Catalunya Ràdio, and claims “the option that most seduces him [Laporta] is Pirlo. It reminds him of a Rijkaard 2.0. The Xavi option is the easy choice, the environment. Pirlo has elegance, respected around the world, cheap and without experience or success. The only doubt is football conviction.”

Currently out of work after guiding La Vecchia Signora to Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana success last season, the Italian football legend could bring considerable gravitas to Catalonia should Laporta get his man.

Les altres 2 opcions són:

– Xavi: “S’ha obert en els últims dies i és l'opció que més agrada a l’entorn de Laporta, però la relació entre ells no viu el millor moment.”

– Robert Martínez: “Agrada a Jordi Cruyff però hi ha dubtes sobre el seu estil futbolístic."

— LaTdT (@LaTdT) September 29, 2021

Torquemada also names Barcelona legend Xavi and current Belgian manager Roberto Martinez as the other leading candidates apart from Pirlo, though Laporta continues to lean in the direction of the Fiero-native.