Former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has launched a stinging attack on the club’s president Joan Laporta following his dismissal earlier this season.
Koeman was sacked at the end of October – following humbling league defeats against Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano respectively, continuing a slow start to the season.
Former Barca captain Xavi was appointed as his successor in another sign that Barca were returning to their past, just as they had done with the return of president Laporta in March last year.
Koeman has now broken his silence over the nature of his exit from the Camp Nou with an extraordinary interview in which he accuses the Barca chief of misleading him.
The Dutch boss was appointed by Laporta’s predecessor in the role, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and he has opened up on his frosty relationship with the current Blaugrana president.
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Koeman told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad : “They didn't give me the time they gave the new coach, Xavi. It's still painful for me.
"I was working with many injured players in my final months. But now, Pedri is back to full fitness and Ousmane Dembele too – you can see how important those players are.
"Every coach needs time and patience from the board."
While Koeman lamented his own luck at the Camp Nou, he revealed that Laporta had previously insisted to him that Xavi would not be appointed at the club due to his lack of coaching experience.
“He had told me a thousand times that Xavi would not be his coach, because he lacked experience,” the Dutchman added. “But he needed a shield, someone to hide behind.
“You won't see me at the Camp Nou for a while, I can't do that yet. With this president I cannot pretend that nothing happened.
“I was not Laporta's coach. I had that feeling from the first moment, after the elections there was no click between us.
“That necessary support from above that any coach needs was not there for me.
“The important thing was not money for me.
“I really wanted to succeed as a coach at Barcelona, to do everything I could, but I realised that Laporta wanted to get rid of me because I was not appointed by him.”
When speaking of the club’s investment in the January transfer window, Koeman also believes this has made a massive difference in results.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Dani Alves were all added to Barca’s squad in a window of investment and backing for Xavi.
“I would have liked them too. But I'm happy for the club, since now things are going better, and for the players too,” reflected Koeman.
“It's nice to see Frenkie de Jong play good old-fashioned football, he has such quality."
The 59-year-old – who previously coached at Southampton, Everton and the Dutch national team – added that he would be keen to return to management next season.
He claimed: “I have agreed with Rob Jansen that we will see the possibilities this summer, if there is something interesting, something nice."
Barca currently sit fourth in the standings in La Liga under Xavi, and are through to the Round of 16 of the Europa League.
