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The keys that will decide Koeman’s departure

Barcelona, Sep 21 (EFE).- Barcelona’s lackluster performances, most recently in their 1-1 draw at home to Granada, would, in normal circumstances, cost coach Ronald Koeman his job. But these are not normal circumstances for the Catalan giants.

Koeman came under fire after Monday evening’s performance, which saw Barcelona salvage a last-minute draw against a team wallowing at the lower end of LaLiga. Drastic decisions such as fielding defender Gerard Pique as a forward pointed to a low point for the team that has lost most of its big-hitters, including Lionel Messi.

However, criticism is one thing and sacking the coach is another, especially given the Catalan team’s current economic situation.

Firing the Dutchman would cost Barcelona’s already drained treasuries some 12 million euros in compensation.

It would also mean finding a replacement for Koeman, someone willing to take on the gargantuan challenge of turning Barcelona’s fortunes around.

As well as Xavi Hernández, Barcelona legend and current coach of the Qatari al-Saad, the Belgium national team’s manager Robert Martínez is a board favorite.

However, convincing Xavi to leave his team before the Nations League and the 2022 FIFA World Cup is not an easy task.

Even if it was, Barcelona will have no time to catch their breath in the short term, as they will play every three days on the run up to Atletico Madrid, last year’s Spanish champions, on October 2.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants to fix the coaching situation before the club’s General Assembly in mid-October.

Pressure also comes from the stands, as fans do not seem to be convinced with Koeman’s arguments for the lack of talent on the field.

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