Ronald Koeman to remain as Barcelona boss - club president

Ronald KoemanGetty Images

Koeman enjoyed a successful career as a Barcelona player but has struggled as manager

Ronald Koeman will remain as Barcelona manager and "deserves a margin of confidence", club president Joan Laporta has said.

Dutchman Koeman was reportedly on the brink of being sacked after Barca lost their first two Champions League games and are struggling in La Liga.

Barcelona visit reigning champions Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Laporta said: "Koeman will continue as Barca coach. He has the benefit of the doubt regardless of today's result."

Speaking on Saturday before the match, Laporta added: "We understand that he deserves a bit of margin for many reasons: He's a Barca fan and legend for fans all over the world. He'll stay on and deserves a margin of confidence.

"He loves Barca and decided to come here in a really tough time both institutionally and on a sporting front.

"After talking to him, I can see he's got faith in the team ... We spoke and it's not true that we've got a tense relationship - it's good and honest. I think we both think the same, to turn things round."

Speaking on Friday, Koeman said he was "fed up" with having to defend himself.

"Nobody has said anything to me," he said about his future.

"The president was here but I haven't seen him because we were preparing for tomorrow's game.

"I am still here, but I have eyes and ears and a lot of things filter through.

"I am fed up of having to defend myself. It makes no sense. Today is not the time, but one day I would like to talk all about what I think of all this."

However, the former Everton and Netherlands coach refused to answer a question about his relationship with Laporta, simply saying: "I am still here."

Relations between the pair have been strained - bordering on toxic - since Laporta was elected as club president in March.

The Catalan side have been struggling with life after the departure of club legend Lionel Messi, losing 3-0 to Benfica in the Champions League in midweek and they are sixth in La Liga, five points behind leaders Real Madrid with a game in hand after three draws in six games.

On Thursday, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told BBC Sport it is "just a matter of time" before Koeman is sacked.

"Timing is of the essence, not only to get rid of Koeman but also to get a plan in place," said Balague.

But Koeman, Barcelona's match-winner as a player in the 1992 European Cup final, wants to focus on Saturday's game.

"I am not the most important," he said. "A positive result is more important than one person. Everyone knows I am here out of love for the club. I came in a very complicated situation."

When asked by one journalist what had been his best and worst moment in charge at the club since arriving just over a year ago, Koeman replied: "The best moment? When I signed to become Barca coach. The worst moment? When Messi left."

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