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Football

Koeman: I'm Not Going to Talk About My Barcelona Future Anymore

Barcelona's head coach Ronald Koeman waves during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada
Barcelona's head coach Ronald Koeman waves during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has shut down talk about his future at the helm following his side’s 1-1 draw with Granada in the Spanish La Liga on Monday.

Koeman has been the subject of speculation about his future at Camp Nou, with Monday’s draw hardly helping his cause.

The Catalans finished third in Koeman’s first season in charge and are currently seventh with eight points from four games, albeit with a game in hand.

“I’m not going to talk about my future anymore,” Koeman told reporters after the game.

Domingos Duarte opened the scoring for the visitors after two minutes, with Barca finding a leveller from Ronald Araujo in the 90th minute.

Koeman was without Pedri, Jordi Alba, Ansu Fati, Sergio Aguero and Ousmane Dembele and has recently seen Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann depart the club.

“Today’s Barca is not the Barca of eight years ago,” he said. “We played Barca’s way, but we don’t have the speed on the break because (Philippe) Coutinho goes inside, (Yusuf) Demir doesn’t go too deep and that’s the way it is.

“With Ansu or Dembele it’s different, you have more speed, but you have to look for alternatives.”

The Dutchman was content with his side’s attitude, in finding a way to grind out a draw.

“We must highlight the attitude,” Koeman said. “People leave unhappy because we don’t win, but not because of the attitude.

“I want to highlight the energy we put into winning a point. We have had dedication and the support of our people, who have encouraged us and to whom I thank.

“We deserved the draw and with a bit of luck we were able to win.”

Barcelona will be back in action in the league in midweek, taking on Cadiz, while champions Atletico Madrid face Getafe and Real Madrid host Real Mallorca.