Barcelona supporting manager Koeman despite disappointing results

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Barcelona are currently in full support of Dutch manager Ronald Koeman although the senior team got disappointing results in the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, which annoyed the fans who are used to glories.

"Regardless of the result, Koeman will continue to be the coach of Barca, he has got a contract in place," Barcelona President Joan Laporta told reporters as the 58-year-old's job is safe.

Laporta said they hope to get victories and play well again as Barcelona did before, and Koeman will do his best in this regard.

"I ask the fans to have confidence in the coach (Koeman), he deserves it," Laporta said, adding that Koeman is "truly from Barca" and loves the club.

Koeman was one of the most important football players of his generation, appearing as a defender for Dutch clubs Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, and Barcelona.

He won a European Champion Clubs Cup and a UEFA Super Cup triumph with Barcelona, and one more European Champion Clubs Cup with PSV during his playing career.

The Dutch legend clinched the 1988 European Championship largely known as the UEFA EURO 88 with the Netherlands, the country's only major title.

Barcelona hired Koeman in 2020 and his contract will expire in June 2022.

Last season, Barcelona came third in the La Liga campaign that was won by Atletico Madrid.

But they won the 2021 Spanish Cup.

This season, Barcelona are currently in the eighth spot in La Liga with 12 points. Their fierce opponents Real Madrid are on top of the standings. The Whites have 17 points.

In the 2021-22 Champions League, Barcelona lost all their two matches 3-0 in Group E against Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Barcelona on Saturday are visiting Atletico Madrid in a La Liga match, a critical game for the visitors.

Barca are in need of a win in Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to grip the title race in the domestic league.