Ronald Koeman ‘already losing trust in Barcelona board and believes they are leaving him defenceless’ after just a month
RONALD KOEMAN is already 'losing trust' in Barcelona's board just a month into his tenure, according to reports.
The Dutchman was appointed amid a chaotic summer in the wake of their disastrous 8-2 Champions League embarrassment at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Star player Lionel Messi tried to leave the club and has repeatedly criticised president Jose Maria Bartomeu.
And while the Argentine appears to be staying put for another year, Koeman has endured a turbulent start to life in the Barcelona hotseat.
Ahead of Barca's LaLiga opener against Villarreal on Sunday, claim that Koeman, 57, is already telling his closest friends that he doesn't trust his bosses at the club.
In taking the job, the ex-Everton manager agreed to allow some sporting decisions to be made by his superiors.
But he now fears that this is undermining him with his players.
And he feels that certain decisions are leaving him "defenceless".
After long-serving star Luis Suarez was booted out of the club to join Atletico Madrid, Messi posted yet another scathing criticism of club chiefs as he paid tribute to his friend's Barcelona career.
The Argentine, 33, said: "You deserved a send-off matching who you are - one of the most important players in the club's history, achieving important things both as a group and individually.
"Not to get thrown out like you have been. But the truth is at this point nothing surprises me."
And Neymar, who forced his way out to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, also weighed in.
The Brazilian commented on Messi's post: "Incredible how they do things.”
Amid the chaos, Koeman will get his Barcelona tenure properly up and running on Sunday as they belatedly begin their LaLiga campaign against Villarreal at Camp Nou.
Miralem Pjanic and Trincao could be in line for debuts, although Koeman is yet to seal the signatures of any of his key targets - including ex-Manchester United forward Memphis Depay.