Eyebrows were initially raised amongst the Southampton fans propping up the bar in the Transfer Tavern when Ronald Koeman opted to jump ship for Everton last summer.
While he’s had a mixed start to his ongoing project at Goodison Park, things seemed to have picked up of late for the Dutchman since the turn of the year. In fact, he’s been doing such a good job on Merseyside recently, he’s even been linked with a move to Barcelona.
The former Valencia coach has a strong bond with the Blaugrana, having played for the club in bygone years, helping them land their first ever European Cup back in 1992. One of the most talented defenders to have ever played at the Camp Nou, he’s surely a romantic idea for the Catalan giants.
As mouth-watering a prospect of moving to Everton initially was for Koeman last summer, the idea of resisting a return to Spain would surely be too hard for a manager of such ambition.
With that in mind, here are THREE reasons it makes total sense.
Golden Generation
Though Barca’s mauling at the hands of PSG last night has sparked debate as to whether or not this batch of players can continue with so much success going forward, we’ve been here before with the Blaugrana.
Their loss in 2013 to Bayern Munich caused a Spanish inquest of its own, though (aside from a few changes here and there) they came back roaring. Clearly, things will change as Old Father Time keeps ticking over, though perhaps this could be the last couple of years to manage such a golden generation?
Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi are really all that are left of the team that swept all before them, so the notion of having just a few years left to coach such a group of talent makes it a race against time.
Defensive problems
As was painfully evident in the French capital during the midweek Champions League tie, there really are a myriad of defensive issues in play amongst the wonderfully talented group of players in Barca’ ranks. While that’s been a sewing motif at the Camp Nou for a few years now, Koeman knows all about defending in Barcelona.
One of their greatest ever in that position, he’d provide some structure.
Experience in Spain
Obviously, managing a team of such grandeur isn’t just about the first-team, though Koeman does have experience in working within the politics of Spanish football. He’s already won the Copa Del Rey with Valencia and, while his stint with Los Che, didn’t end too well, it’s at least experience in the strange world of La Liga.
