Ronald Koeman Clears Up Messi And Suarez Exit Row And Confirms He Wants More Dutch At FC Barcelona

Ronald Koeman has provided details on exit rows concerning Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, while also confirming he wishes to have more fellow Dutchmen at FC Barcelona.

“After signing as [head] coach, I immediately contacted Leo,” began Koeman in an interview to compatriot outlet NOS. “I went to his house and talked to him about his future. His discontent was clear. In the end it went well and from the moment he indicated that he would continue he has done everything I expect of him,” the Dream Team Legend added.

On Messi’s close Uruguayan friend, Koeman explained how Suarez “had found it very difficult to play” and that he “honestly let him know” the third all-time top scorer did not feature in his plans.

“It was difficult for him,” Koeman went on. “But I never had a problem with him. He just trained and trained well. I’m fine with Luis but the club thought we had to rejuvenate the team and that can now be seen in the group.”

“Ansu Fati plays, [and] he is 17 years old. We have 17-year-old Pedri who has his opportunities. Ronald Araujo is here at 21. [Francisco] Trincao appears a lot and is 20 years old, and we have signed Sergiño Dest [who is] 19. Those are all players for the future,” Koeman stated of his young squad.

Regarding Messi’s outburst on Instagram in support of El Pistolero, Koeman said, “If you have someone in the locker room that you, your wife and kids hang out with outside of football as well, then that reaction makes sense. I also told Messi : ‘I understand you are disappointed and I think it is a terrible pity that he is leaving, but these are club decisions.’”

“Hopefully we will have a second Dutchman on the squad,” admitted the Barça coach, in addition to confirming that he wanted Lyon striker Memphis Depay and that Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum was on his shortlist.

That being said, though, Koeman is keen not to paint the Camp Nou orange to the extent that Louis Van Gaal did in his late 90s tenure.

“That was extreme,” Koeman pointed out. “I don’t think you can compare that with the current situation. Now we have Frenkie de Jong. [And] with Alfred [Schreuder] and myself on the staff, we are two Dutchmen. But [back] then there were eight or nine.”