COULD MESSI NOW STAY AT THE NOU CAMP?

Following Josep Maria Bartomeu‘s resignation as Barcelona president, Spanish football expert Alvaro Montero has been speaking to Sky Sports about how it will affect the futures of head coach Ronald Koeman and Lionel Messi.

“Some of the presidential candidates would have Xavi as their coach,” he said. “Everyone knows that the natural transition will involve him becoming head coach in the future but Ronald Koeman has a contract for two years until 2022. His future not only depends on who becomes president but also on his development and results. If they’re good, I’m sure he could stay on as manager and Xavi would have to wait.

“Messi’s future is now much more certain than Koeman’s case. Messi wanted to leave last summer but now he very much has the option to stay. If Joan Laporta or Toni Freixa arrive as the new president, his relationship with the Argentine is already fantastic, so he could stay – but it all depends on the board members.

“With Bartomeu, there was no chance, but his chances to stay now – especially if Laporta is elected president – are huge.”