FC Barcelona have appointed Ronald Koeman as their next coach, the club said in a statement on Wednesday, as the Catalans look to rebuild after their 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.
Koeman, who left his role as manager of the Netherlands, has signed a two-year-deal with Barcelona, who sacked Quique Setien on Monday.
Koeman is dearly loved at Barca for his role in Johan Cruyff’s hugely successful side known as the ‘Dream Team’ and for scoring the goal that delivered the club’s first ever European Cup in 1992.
“Barcelona and Ronald Koeman have come to an agreement for him to be the team’s coach until 30 June 2022,” said Barca’s statement.
Koeman told the website of the Netherlands’ soccer association, the KNVB: “Everyone knows that Barcelona is my dream club. It feels very special to me to be able to become a coach there.”
Barca president Josep Bartomeu said captain Lionel Messi would be an integral part of the team under Koeman.
“Messi wants to end his career at Barca. I’ve spoken to Koeman about him and he has told me Messi will be the pillar of his project,” Bartomeu told Barca TV on Tuesday. “Messi has a contract with Barca until 2021. I speak to him and his father regularly and they know that we have a solid project.”
