Ronald Koeman thinks it is only logical that he and his players hand in salary at FC Barcelona during the corona crisis. The trainer is happy that he can offer the Spanish top club a helping hand.
Barcelona announced on Friday that, on behalf of La Liga, agreement has been reached with the group of players about a cut of 172 million euros in wages and bonuses.
“It’s about club love. I have said that I was willing to help the club in any way in these circumstances,” said Koeman on Saturday in his press talk in the run-up to Sunday’s home game against Osasuna.
“And it is great that an agreement has also been reached with the players. We live in a time when everyone has to think along in the interest of the club.”
Whether Barcelona can and may enter the winter transfer market despite the financial situation, Koeman could not yet say. “We have to see how we are doing by then”, was the only thing the former national coach of the Netherlands said about it.
‘Rest period has done well for Messi and De Jong’
Koeman has again included Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong in his selection for the match against Osasuna. Both players did not travel midweek for the away game against Dynamo Kiev to take a break from the busy schedule.
“That rest period has done both Messi and De Jong good. Hopefully they will be completely fresh again tomorrow,” said 57-year-old Koeman, who is not yet sure whether Sergiño Dest – who scored in Kiev – is fit.
“We have to see if he is available on Sunday. He trained well today, but we have no definite answer yet. We have already discussed who should replace him if he cannot play.”
FC Barcelona-Osasuna starts on Sunday at 2 p.m. Barcelona is only thirteenth in La Liga after eight games and has the worst start to the season since 1991 under Koeman.
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