Barcelona chief Joan Laporta ‘decides to sack Ronald Koeman’ after concerns emerge

Barcelona: Koeman hopes Messi stays for 'many more years'

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta is ’99 per cent certain’ to sack Ronald Koeman, according to reports. The Dutchman has overseen a turbulent campaign over at the Nou Camp. And he’s now primed to lose his job after failing to guide his side to La Liga title glory.

Barcelona went into Sunday’s match against Celta Vigo looking to boost their chances of winning La Liga.

But that didn’t happen, with the Catalan giants slipping to a disappointing 2-1 defeat over at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona were in the fight for the title mere weeks ago but, after taking just five points from their last five matches, they’ve crumbled under pressure.

And RAC1 claim Laporta is now ready to bring the axe crashing down on Koeman as a result.

It’s claimed that, to this point, he’s been reluctant to interfere in matters within the Nou Camp dressing room.

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But Laporta has had enough of the Koeman regime and is now ready to relieve the former Everton and Southampton boss of his duties in the coming weeks ahead.

Even if Barcelona are unable to earmark a top manager for the role, the Dutchman’s fate is sealed.

And it’s widely expected that Xavi will be his successor, with the Spaniard currently in negotiations with his former club over an emotional return.

He won the lot during his playing days, lifting eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.

And Barcelona are set to turn to Xavi in their hour of need, with the Al-Sadd boss charged with the task of steering the club back to the top of the domestic and European game.

Another issue for Barcelona is Lionel Messi’s future.

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The Argentina international is yet to sign a new contract with the club, amid interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo may be the last time he turns out at the Nou Camp as a player, with just weeks on his current deal left to run.

And Koeman, speaking after the game, admitted the club would struggle to replace the 33-year-old if he decides to jump ship.

“We hope he will not leave because he is still the best player in the world and he has shown today,” Koeman told Marca.

“It is impossible to play without him.

“He has already scored 30 goals this season, which have given the team a lot of points.

“It is a question for Leo to decide.

“For me and for the team, we hope he stays because if don’t have him, we have doubts about who will score so many goals.”

Koeman also feels the match with Celta Vigo summed up Barcelona’s topsy-turvy season, saying: “If we talk about the first half it is a reflection of what has happened to us in more than one game.

“We play well, with opportunities and the opponent arrives once and you enter the dressing room with 1-1 and this mentally costs a lot.

“The second half it has not been so good, but even with one less we had 2-1.

“And in the end it is 1-2 and this always happens at times when you are not so lucky.”

Barcelona have just one match of the season left to play.

And that’s against Eibar on Saturday, who sit bottom of the table having won just six of their 37 matches this term.

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