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Barcelona appoint Ronald Koeman as new head coach

The Dutchman succeeds Quique Setien in the role.

Ronald Koeman has been appointed Barcelona’s new first-team coach after agreeing a two-year deal, the Catalan club have announced.

The 57-year-old Dutchman, who spent six years at the Nou Camp as a player, will leave his job in charge of Holland’s national team to replace Quique Setien following his departure on Friday.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “FC Barcelona and Ronald Koeman have reached an agreement for the Dutchman to take over as first-team coach until 30 June 2022.”

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu had earlier confirmed the club’s intention to appoint the former Southampton and Everton boss following Setien’s dismissal.

Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal have both been let go by the LaLiga club in the wake of Friday’s humiliating 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich.

Koeman had signed a four-and-a-half-year deal when he replaced Dick Advocaat in charge of the national team in February 2018.

He will be the third man at the helm this year, with Setien having only replaced Ernesto Valverde in January.

The club, who teased the confirmation by posting a video of Koeman scoring the winning goal in extra time of the 1992 European Cup final on their Twitter account, have also announced that Ramon Planes will replace Abidal.

Koeman will inherit a side which finished second to arch-rivals Real Madrid in LaLiga with five points separating the teams.

Barca failed to win a major trophy this season for the first time since 2013-14 and last lifted the Champions League in 2015 under Luis Enrique.

Koeman made 350 appearances as a defender for Barca and scored 106 goals, having risen to prominence in his native country with FC Groningen, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.

As well as the European Cup, his honours in Spain also included four league titles, one Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups and one European Super Cup.

He has managed previously in Spain with Valencia.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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