Laporta: 'Koeman will continue as Barca coach'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta voiced his support for under-pressure head coach Ronald Koeman ahead of Saturday's clash with Atletico Madrid.

Barca have suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats to begin their Champions League campaign and are positioned seventh in La Liga.

"Ronald Koeman will continue as Barca coach, we feel he deserves a certain amount of confidence for many reasons. He's a Barca fan, a reference for the supporters. He will continue and deserves some confidence," Laporta said, according to ESPN.

"Koeman loves Barca and decided to come at a really difficult moment for the club institutionally and sportingly. After speaking with him, I see he has faith in the team, above all when he gets the injured players back. He has a contract (until the summer) and we hope to get back to winning ways and playing well. I am sure he will do everything possible."

Sergio Aguero, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, and Martin Braithwaite are all currently in the treatment room, while Ansu Fati is gradually returning to match fitness after a long-term knee injury. Koeman has turned to on-loan Sevilla striker Luuk de Jong in his search for more firepower and has even pushed defenders into attacking positions late into games.

"We've spoken and it's not true the relationship between us is cold," Laporta continued. "It's a good and honest relationship. He's a good person and I think he thinks the same as me. We are all trying to turn this around for the better.

"He has a certain amount of confidence regardless of the result."

Laporta's vote of confidence for Koeman is at odds with reports that Barcelona are already drawing up a list of potential replacements for the Dutch tactician. Former Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo, River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo, ex-Barca midfielder Xavi, and Belgium handler Roberto Martinez are all under consideration for the role, according to ESPN.