Whether he was a victim of inefficiency or circumstance, Ronald Koeman has hit the dead end at Barcelona.
The manager was summarily sacked on Wednesday, with today, Thursday, being the ime to say , ‘Goodbye’.
The handwriting had clearly beeen on the wall for some time, as the team have lost steam, losing matches the way a leper loses a needle.
The once giant, Messi-phisticated team have turned a shadow of themselves.
Legendary Lionel Messi left the team for PSG due to the recession that hit Barca, which had, unfortunately asked another goal getter, Luiz Suarez, to go.
The rejected store is a pillar of Atletico Madrid now.
In the last four games, Barca lost three, with indications that things could get worse.
The last straw that smahed the camel’s back is Rayo’s 2-1 win against them, forcing the management to go for the Koeman’s big stick from where it had been hanging it.
Koeman, possibly basking in premonition, had quickly provided an excuse for the Rayyo loss, seeing the blame in the current absent strength of the team.
The only thing he did not categorically say is: ‘It is not y faul. Don”t sack me because of this.”
And what did he actually say, Koeman told journalists after the match:
“It [Barcelona’s league position] says we’re not well.
“The team has lost balance in the squad, lost very effective players, which shows. In recent years other clubs have strengthened every season and we haven’t, which also shows.”
But in a statement, Barca management, which obviously wanted a winning coach and not an analysing manager, said, “The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him [Koeman] of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.
“Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday.”
Barca have picked up just 15 points from 10 games in La Liga and have already lost twice in the group stage of this season’s Champions League.
They are ninth in the table, six points adrift of the joint leaders after losing at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
The loss was Barca’s third in their last four games and it followed defeat in Sunday’s Clasico to Real Madrid.
As BBC also reports, the former Netherlands, Everton and Southampton boss, 58, could only guide the five-time European champions to third place in the league last season.
The Dutchman has not been helped by the club’s significant financial problems, which resulted in Lionel Messi’s exit and subsequent move to Paris St-Germain in August.
