Barca Prepare Big Project With Koeman, Messi Is Sure To Survive

JAKARTA - Ronald Koeman is rumored to be the new Barcelona coach to replace Quique Setien. President Josep Maria Bartomeu also revealed that Lionel Messi will not leave the club and will become an integral part of Koeman's team.

Launching Antara, Wednesday, August 19, Koeman was tasked with rebuilding the club after being destroyed 2-8 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals last Friday.

"If nothing gets in the way then we will announce Koeman as our next coach and he will lead the team and these players are moving forward with a different type of project, led by a coach who is known to all Barca fans," Bartomeu said in an interview with the club's official television channel.

Koeman's imminent arrival will be the third phase of a club restructuring that began with Quique Setien's sacking on Monday and continued Tuesday when sporting director Eric Abidal agreed to terminate his contract.

Koeman, 57, arrived in Barcelona Tuesday after spending the morning at Dutch headquarters negotiating the release of his contract with the national team he has coached since 2018 and leading him to qualify for Euro 2020.

Koeman is remembered at Barca for the role he played during Johan Cruyff's side which was a huge success known as the 'Dream Team'. He scored the only goal against Sampdoria in the 1992 Champions Cup final.

The defender later became Barca's assistant coach before starting his head coach career by leading three Dutch clubs Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord plus Southampton and Everton of the Premier League and Valencia in La Liga.

"We bet on him because we know him well, we know how he thinks and how his team plays, but also because of his experience and because he is in Johan's 'Dream Team' he knows Barca and how we understand football," added Bartomeu.

🔊 @jmbartomeu: "Es un theme de responsabilidad. Hacer las elecciones a partir del 15 de marzo nos permitirá llevar a cabo una transición tranquila" pic.twitter.com/InLBnv5T75

- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 18, 2020

Bartomeu also said Koeman would build Barca with Lionel Messi in it.

"Messi wants to end his career at Barca, he has said that many times. I've spoken to Koeman about him and he told me that Messi will be a pillar of his project," said Bartomeu.

"Messi has a contract with Barca until 2021. I often talk to him and his father and they know we have a solid project, that a new coach is coming and that he (Messi) will rely on him (the new coach)."