Dismissed after 14 months at the helm of Barcelona, the Dutch coach Ronald Koeman never found tranquility within the Catalan club, weighed down by a financial and sporting crisis, as shown by his difficult journey:
. August 19, 2020 – Koeman’s arrival
The 8-2 debacle of Barça in the quarterfinals of the Champions League against Bayern Munich costs Quique Setién his place. Former glory of the club, which gave its first European Cup in 1992 with a memorable free kick, Ronald Koeman is chosen to succeed him. He leaves his position as Dutch coach to sign a two-year contract with Barça.
. First soap opera Messi
On August 25, 2020, Argentine star Lionel Messi announces that he wants to leave Barça, with whom he still has a contract until June 2021. On September 4, he backs down, but the message sent to management is “devastating” , underlines the Spanish press.
. Suarez ruled out in 40 seconds
In debt, the club tries to free up its salary mass and gets rid of some names and signals the departure of Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and, above all, Messi’s great friend, Luis Suárez (283 games, 198 goals). “Koeman’s call to tell me he was not counting on me lasted 40 seconds,” said the Uruguayan forward, now in the ranks of Atlético de Madrid.
. First match, 4-0 win
On September 27, 2020, Ronald Koeman made his LaLiga debut with a wide 4-0 victory against Villarreal at the Camp Nou.
. First classic, defeat 3-1
On October 24, 2020, the Dutchman suffered a first failure when he fell 3-1 against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.
. Resignation of President Bartomeu
Three days after this defeat, the president of the club Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned. Damaged in summer by Messi’s threat and subject to a motion of censure, he leaves his post five months before the elections from which Joan Laporta will be elected in March.
. Setback in the Champions League against PSG
In March 2021, Koeman’s team is eliminated in the second round of the Champions League by Paris SG, who takes revenge for the humiliation of the 2017 comeback. Messi and his teammates lost to the first leg at Camp Nou. 4-1. On the return, they achieve a futile 1-1 draw.
. Second lost classic
On April 10, 2021, Barça fell again in the second classic of the season 2-1 against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
. Victory in the King’s Cup
The Barcelona fans console themselves with a 4-0 victory in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao. Messi scores a double. This title is the only one for Barça in the 2020-2021 season, which will finish in third place in LaLiga.
. Messi’s departure
The summer of 2021 was even more turbulent than that of 2020. This time Messi is leaving. On August 5, the divorce between the Argentine and his club is confirmed. ‘La Pulga’ arrives at PSG with which he signs for two seasons. Epilogue of a long soap opera and point of no return from the crisis in which Barça is plunged.
. Griezmann returns to Atlético
After Suárez and Messi, Antoine Griezmman, who never found his place at Barça, also left the club and returned on loan to Atlético de Madrid.
. Catastrophic start in Champions
Two 3-0 losses to Bayern and Benfica: Barça skid at their Champions League start in September. The Catalan club reacts timidly at home against Dynamo Kiev (1-0).
. Another lost classic
Last Sunday, the Barcelona fans lost again against their eternal rival, Real Madrid. After this game lost at the Camp Nou, Ronald Koeman is harassed by fans outside the stadium.
. El Rayo, the last straw
Three days after losing the classic, Barcelona fell 1-0 in the field of Rayo Vallecano with both Radamel Falcao. In that game, Memphis Depay, misses a penalty.
. October 28, 2021: Koeman dismissed
In a statement published on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, Barcelona announced the dismissal of its coach, with the club ranked 9th in LaLiga. (AFP)