Koeman impresses in Barcelona: ‘Messi said they are in good hands’

Ronald Koeman is doing well in Spain. The first working days of the FC Barcelona coach were essential for the improved atmosphere at Camp Nou, Diario SPORT concludes.

Following on from Mundo Deportivo, who listed the most important changes under Koeman, SPORT will also devote a major article to the culture change at Barça in the Thursday edition. Koeman has won over the players in his first weeks, says the Catalan medium.

The first meeting between Koeman and Lionel Messi was key. The day after his presentation, Koeman informed his key player of his plans. The story stuck with Messi, even though it did not change his initial wish to leave by his quarrel with chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu ‘, it sounds.

In the days after meeting Koeman, Messi spoke to a number of teammates. He assured them that they would be in good hands with Koeman. He didn’t feel like a Barça player anymore, but believed that the new project would suit the team well.

Messi eventually stayed to serve out the last year of his Barça contract. In the meantime, Koeman left his mark on the club. “From the first practice, he made it clear that he imposes a strict work culture on the players,” said SPORT.

‘The trainer is straightforward and communicates clearly with the players and the press. He doesn’t want to become a player’s best friend, but he wants to make a connection so that the team can perform well on the field. The new rules of Koeman hit hard at first, but the Barça stars understood that they had to take a new path and accepted the demanding philosophy of the Dutchman. ‘