The Spanish media have torn into an under-fire Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman after he read out a prepared statement instead of answering questions in his press conference on Wednesday morning.

The scheduled pre-match appearance from the Barcelona manager before the game at Cadiz should have involved the Dutch coach taking questions from reporters, but instead Koeman read out a sombre statement asking for patience from fans. 

When the three minute discourse was over he got up from his seat and left.

The Spanish media were scathing of the Blaugrana boss’s actions, in particular Mundo Deportivo, who claimed he had ‘hit the floor’.

After finishing reading his statement, Ronald Koeman left without taking media questions

After finishing reading his statement, Ronald Koeman left without taking media questions

After finishing reading his statement, Ronald Koeman left without taking media questions

The front page of Mundo Deportivo reads 'Koeman hits the floor' after the boss's statement

The front page of Mundo Deportivo reads 'Koeman hits the floor' after the boss's statement

The front page of Mundo Deportivo reads ‘Koeman hits the floor’ after the boss’s statement

Mundo also reported that club president Joan Laporta had responded hours after Koeman’s conference, stating that ‘in principal he continues being the coach.’ 

Sportsmail reported on Tuesday that, in the wake of a difficult week which saw his side fall to the defeat by Bayern Munich and draw with minnows Granada, Koeman has just a handful of games left to save his job.  

MARCA‘s front page claimed that the Barca manager had ‘given up on communicating’ following his refusal to take questions from the media.

While AS ran with a rather damning verdict, accusing Koeman of tightening the noose. 

MARCA's front page claimed that the Barcelona boss had given up on communication

MARCA's front page claimed that the Barcelona boss had given up on communication

MARCA’s front page claimed that the Barcelona boss had given up on communication

AS said that Koeman had swapped his press conference for a pessimistic statement

AS said that Koeman had swapped his press conference for a pessimistic statement

AS said that Koeman had swapped his press conference for a pessimistic statement 

Catalan-based newspaper SPORT stressed Barcelona’s desperation to win their LaLiga fixture against Cadiz on Thursday. 

SPORT ran with the headline: ‘Have to win.’ Its front page stated that a result in the league fixture was vital to ‘improve Barcelona’s image’ and ‘straighten out the project’. 

The Blaugrana currently sit eighth in the table after securing just two wins so far this season. Koeman has just a handful of games left to save his job and he needs to make every one count. 

SPORT also branded the manager’s press conference antics as ‘untenable’.

Under-fire Barcelona boss Koeman read out a long statement in his press conference

Under-fire Barcelona boss Koeman read out a long statement in his press conference

Under-fire Barcelona boss Koeman read out a long statement in his press conference

Catalan newspaper SPORT's headline branded Barcelona's clash with Cadiz as a 'must-win'

Catalan newspaper SPORT's headline branded Barcelona's clash with Cadiz as a 'must-win'

Catalan newspaper SPORT’s headline branded Barcelona’s clash with Cadiz as a ‘must-win’

Koeman started his press conference on Wednesday by greeting everyone politely before beginning: ‘The club is with me in what is a process of reconstruction.

‘The financial situation of the club is linked to the sporting performance of the team. That means that we have to rebuild the team without big money to spend and we need time.

‘The young talents can be big stars in a couple of years and the good thing about rebuilding the team is that the young players will get their chance just as Xavi and Iniesta had theirs in their day. But patience is necessary.’  

A tough week saw Barcelona and Koeman lose to Bayern Munich and then draw with Granada

A tough week saw Barcelona and Koeman lose to Bayern Munich and then draw with Granada

A tough week saw Barcelona and Koeman lose to Bayern Munich and then draw with Granada

Koeman (pictured in training) is under pressure after Barcelona's poor start this season

Koeman (pictured in training) is under pressure after Barcelona's poor start this season

Koeman (pictured in training) is under pressure after Barcelona’s poor start this season

Setting the bar low for this season, Koeman added: ‘Finishing in a high position this season will be a success. 

‘European football is a good school for these young players but miracles cannot be expected in the Champions League. Last week’s defeat to Bayern Munich has to be seen with that perspective.’

Koeman sat bespectacled and head bowed as he carefully read the prepared speech. 

It is understood that Koeman didn't tell the club's board that he would be reading a statement

It is understood that Koeman didn't tell the club's board that he would be reading a statement

It is understood that Koeman didn’t tell the club’s board that he would be reading a statement 

The coach continued: ‘The process that we are in with the squad deserves to be unconditionally backed in both word and deed. I know that the media understand this process. 

‘This is not the first time this has happened in the club’s history. We count on your support in this difficult time. 

‘The dressing room is very happy with the support from the fans against Granada.’

Koeman concluded with a ‘Visca el Barca’ (long-live Barca) and thanked everyone for turning up. 

Laporta, meanwhile, has also asked for the fanbase to ‘stand by’ the team despite their truly nightmare start to the campaign. 

The club president shared his plea on Twitterconceding that the club understands ‘what needs to be done’. 

He also insisted the issues will be ‘solved’ shortly and has asked for ‘calm’. 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta also asked for the club's supporters to 'stand by' the team

Barcelona president Joan Laporta also asked for the club's supporters to 'stand by' the team

Barcelona president Joan Laporta also asked for the club’s supporters to ‘stand by’ the team 

Koeman may be confident that he can turn around the club’s ailing fortunes, but the axe is yet to fall only because Barcelona’s can’t afford to sack him. That move would cost them around £10million, to cover his contract and compensation.

Should Koeman be able to successfully keep his team in contention in a title race or top four challenge, then he is likely to remain in charge. But if the crisis deepens, the hierarchy are poised to make a change in the dugout. 

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is the man tipped to replace Koeman, but when questioned over whether he would be tempted to take up the hotseat the Spaniard remained tight-lipped and labelled the reports as simply ‘rumours’.

KOEMAN’S FULL STATEMENT

Good afternoon. The club is with me in what is a process of reconstruction.

The financial situation of the club is linked to the sporting performance of the team. That means that we have to rebuild the team without big money to spend and we need time.

The young talents can be big stars in a couple of years and the good thing about rebuilding the team is that the young players will get their chance just as Xavi and Iniesta had theirs in their day. But patience is necessary.

Finishing in a high position this season will be a success. 

European football is a good school for these young players but miracles cannot be expected in the Champions League. Last week’s defeat to Bayern Munich has to be seen with that perspective.

The process that we are in with the squad deserves to be unconditionally backed in both word and deed. I know that the media understand this process.

This is not the first time this has happened in the club’s history. We count on your support in this difficult time. 

The dressing room is very happy with the support from the fans against Granada.

Long live Barcelona. Thank you.

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Source: Daily Mail

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