The new head coach says he wants to work with the Argentine star for several seasons to come, as he is starting his role at the club
Newly revealed Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman says he plans to sit down and talk to Lionel Messi as he looks to work alongside the Argentine star for years.
Koeman spoke at his inaugural press conference with the club, after he was recently revealed as the successor to Quique Setien.
Setien was sacked on the heels of a trophy-less end to the season, with Barca falling to rivals Real Madrid in La Liga shortly before being beaten by Bayern Munich in an 8-2 beatdown to their Champions League final to close.
Koeman joins Barca as he leaves his role with the Netherlands national team, and he will find that his old club is currently in a state of despair.
Technical director Eric Abidal followed Setien through the door, while Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu sat for an election in March.
The president has already stated that several Barca stars are available for transfer, with the club only promising to keep individuals they see as key players.
One player the club is firmly committed to is Messi, although recent reports have stated that the captain is content with Barca’s decision-making and is considering a move away from Camp Nou.
Koeman, meanwhile, is hopeful that Messi will stay with the club for as long as possible, as he looks forward to working alongside the club’s long-time star.
“I do not know if I should convince Messi or not,” Koeman said Wednesday. “You want the best in the world in your team, not the opposite.
“I want to work with Messi. He wins your games and, if he delivers the performances he has always shown, I will be happy if he wants to stay.
“He has a contract. I have to talk to him because he is the captain of the team. We will work and talk with different players. And in the case of Messi, I hope he will be here for much more. years. “
He added: “What I’m talking to Messi, there are private matters between player and coach. We will talk about what he thinks of Barcelona and then I will make decisions.
“Messi has one more year on his contract and is a Barca player and I want him on my team.”
The Argentine was Barca’s standout again in the entire 2019-20 campaign, breaking former teammate Xavi’s assist ball with 21 assists, while also scoring 25 goals from his own shot.
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