LaLiga: I need more time to impose my ideas, says Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman. AP

Madrid: Ronald Koeman said on Tuesday he needed more time to instill his ideas after his poor start as Barcelona coach.

Barca face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, seeking to narrow their 10-point gap behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, who are also one game less than the Catalans.

Pressure is already mounting on Koeman, whose future could become more uncertain when the new club president is elected later this month.

Asked when his methods will give better performance, Koeman said: “Little by little we will see it. We have tried to move the team forward and prepare them for the championship, but we have some important players injured. and I have a team. I haven’t been able to change much. I need more time to impose my ideas. “

Koeman has confirmed midfielder Carles Alena will be cleared to leave, with the 23-year-old due to join Getafe on loan.

But there are unlikely to be many arrivals this month at Camp Nou, given the club’s dire financial situation.

“Every coach, every January, thinks about how they can improve their team,” Koeman said. “I made a plan of the ins and outs. Whether it is possible or not, it depends on the club. Otherwise, we continue with what we have.”

Barcelona had to postpone training on Tuesday after two staff members tested positive for coronavirus .

Another round of testing was carried out on Tuesday morning but the club reported no further positive cases and training took place on Tuesday evening.

“We were calm,” Koeman said. “There are things in life that you cannot control.”

Barca will face an Athletic Bilbao side in their first game under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, the former Valencia boss appointed on Sunday after Gaizka Garitano’s sacking.

Bilbao sit ninth in La Liga, having won just six of their 17 league appearances this season.

“When you have the chance at a big club like Athletic, you have to respond quickly,” Marcelino said on Tuesday. “Any footballer knows what this club means in this league. It is an exciting project.”