‘It’s not good to compare’ – Ronald Koeman takes swipe at Xavi’s Barcelona side months after his ugly exit
RONALD KOEMAN has taken a swipe at Barcelona months after his ugly exit.
The Dutchman was sacked in October following a 1-0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano.
Barca sat in ninth when Koeman was axed, but the former Southampton and Everton boss points out that they are now more points off top spot than they were then.
Speaking at the presentation of his Koeman Cup charity golf event, he said of Barcelona's progress: "Surely they have improved in some things.
"They have signed three strikers or three players who can play up front.
"It is not good to compare. When I left, Barcelona was eight points away and now almost double. It is not good to compare.
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"Xavi's task is just as complicated as mine. There's no need to lie, if you lose the last home games it's for something.
"This is the reality of Barcelona today. It needs time to return to what it was and, therefore, I ask for peace of mind and not to think that we haven't won titles… we have to think long-term, trust and support the coach."
Koeman, 59, bemoaned a number of factors that made his Barcelona tenure difficult.
He said: "I can write a book. A lot of things happened to us.
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"Covid issues, lack of president for a while, I had to answer all kinds of questions, not being able to sign the players we wanted, without Leo Messi from one day to another, without (Antoine) Griezmann on the last day of the market.
"I have been criticised a lot for Luuk (de Jong). For me he has always been a player who has worked for me in his role.
"Luckily he has given five or six points for Barca. I don't feel a coach who has failed."
Koeman was unhappy with his relationship with club president Joan Laporta, adding: "I didn't have this support from the club and I hope Xavi does."
I haven't had the full support of a president
Ronald Koeman
He then pleaded with his old side to give his successor the time he will need, continuing: "It's true that Barca's situation is the same as mine. That means that changing a coach is not always something that guarantees you to improve.
"I don't want to make any criticism. The only thing I ask is to support Xavi. It's the situation because a coach is not the only culprit.
"I haven't had the full support of a president and I hope he has learned from this and supports Xavi.
"The club's situation hurts me, it's sad because I'm a cule. I ask for maximum support for Xavi, he's a legend, a very good coach, a homebody and little to blame for Barcelona being in this situation."
Since Xavi's appointment, Barca have risen from ninth to second in LaLiga.
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Koeman is currently between jobs, and will take over as Netherlands head coach following Louis van Gaal's departure after the World Cup.
He concluded: "Now I only think about Holland, about enjoying life until January."