Ronald Koeman’s achievements in the Premier League have not gone unnoticed. Rumors have circulated for some time that the manager could move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Chief among the names suggested is Koeman’s former club, Barcelona. The former Dutch player enjoyed great success at the club. He played at the Camp Nou for six seasons, winning La Liga four times and the European Cup once.
Koeman’s current team Everton has proven to be a side capable of taking on the Premier League’s biggest clubs. While achieving a good deal without many resources, many feel it is time for the Dutch manager to make a step up. This would include managing a team with a higher reputation and larger transfer budget.
Luis Enrique, Barcelona’s current manager, will step down at the end of the season. Many names have been suggested to fill the vacancy, with Koeman’s being perhaps the one most often mentioned. The current Everton manager admits that managing Barcelona would be his dream come true.
“I’m flattered and pleased that they think about me,” Koeman told Sport. “Everyone knows that I’m Barca, they know my love for a club where I grew up as a player and as a person. In my professional life, I have two dreams left to accomplish. One: to coach the national team of my country, Holland. I’ve had the chance but my commitment to Everton prevented me.”
“My other wish, my other dream, is to coach Barca one day. That’s the truth. Now, I’m committed to Everton. We have a very powerful and exciting project and we’ll strengthen as best we can to reach the Champions League next season.”
Koeman is also supposedly targeted by the Netherlands federation to manage the National team. Dutch officials have spoken in the past of their admiration for the manager. However, with the future looking brighter than ever, there is one managerial job Ronald Koeman rules out.
“That’s impossible. I’d never coach Real Madrid, although I respect them as a team and an institution,” he said. “Someone for whom Barca means so much, with their history, could not do it.”
