Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman looks to be heading for the Camp Nou exit after criticising the club for not giving him enough support and admitting he does not know whether he will be in charge next season.
Club president Joan Laporta told the media this week that changes were imminent, with local media reporting that former midfielder Xavi Hernandez had been approached to replace the Dutchman.
Koeman refused to answer questions about this future after last week's disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo that meant the best Barca could finish this season was third, behind league leaders Atletico Madrid and arch-rivals Real Madrid.
"In the last month you need to respect your coach and players more. Things have come out in the press and they don't deserve that kind of treatment, things should be done differently," Koeman told a news conference on Friday.
"I know there's a lot of pressure here and I accept this, but sometimes I think in this country there's much more of a culture with the media getting involved with a coach's future, which I think is disrespectful.
"In the last part of the season I've not felt the support of the club. We've not spoken about the future. There's been times when I've had to be a spokesman for the club and that should be noted," he said.
"I know we need to make changes in order to win trophies and if that means a new coach or players then fine; but it needs to be communicated.
"I don't know if I will continue as coach, to be honest. I've not spoken with the president."
Barca player ratings for Celta Vigo defeat
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BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 5 - Always vocal, especially towards Barça’s younger players. Stranded and didn’t move for Santi Mina’s equaliser on 37 minutes – Celta’s first shot on goal. More involved towards the end as Celta attacked 10-man Barça – then Mina scored a second after Ter Stegen missed Solari’s cross before it. AFP -
Ronald Araujo 7 - Big moment was a 60th minute header right in front of goal but headed over as Barça desperately pushed for the lead. He put his head in his hands – it was a real chance. At the other end struggled to block. EPA -
Gerard Pique 6 - Put his hands behind his back when one on one with Santi Mina but the Celta striker simply fired the ball past him and into the net. Didn’t reflect well on Pique. Did well to win header towards Araujo in front of goal on 60 minutes. Taken off five minute later. Better passing accuracy than any player on the pitch, but a night to forget. EPA -
Clement Lenglet 4 - Usually Barça’s last man back – and more so as the Catalans pushed for a winner. A quiet game, then booked after 73 and then crashed into Kevin 10 minutes later for a second booking and a red card. Let his side down and allowed Celta to pressure and get a winner. AFP -
Jordi Alba 6 As things got really desperate at Camp Nou with the score at 1-1 with 10 minutes left, Messi set up Alba close to the Celta goal. Alba struck the ball cleanly but across the goal. A central figure involved in so many of his side’s attacks, but disappointing. EPA -
Pedri 6 - Set up Messi with a chance to make it 2-0. Limited impact against revitalised and in form Galicians. AFP -
Sergio Busquets 8 - Still wearing protective head gear after a clash two weeks ago, he picked Messi out with a ball over the defence on 27 minutes for Barça’s opener. Did what he does and moved the ball around and forward, but those in front couldn’t build on their chances by putting the ball in the net. Reuters -
Ilaix Moriba 7 - Under fire boss Ronald Koeman continues to show faith in the teen midfielder. Shot over after 53 minutes as Barça sought a breakthrough. Reuters -
Ousmane Dembele 7 - Lively on the right from the start. Neat run and pass back to Messi after nine minutes. Saw a lot of the ball, beat his men delightfully, though crosses or final balls lacked a killer edge. He was so involved throughout. EPA -
Antoine Griezmann 6 - Clean through on goalkeeper Villar after nine minutes but from a narrow angle. Made three key passes and linked well with Messi but still not involved enough and was taken off after 69 minutes – when he’d had fewer touches than any other player except his goalkeeper. EPA -
Lionel Messi 9 - Potentially his last ever game at Camp Nou. Almost all Barça’s attacking play went through him. Shot over after 16 and volleyed over two minutes later. Headed the opener on 27, timing his run perfectly to meet Busquets’ cross for his 30th league goal of the season. It’s the ninth time he’s scored 30 or more league goals in a season. AFP -
SUB: Riqui Puig 7 - On for Pedri. Decision to see Puig play delighted Barça fans who see him as a future talent. His slender frame was quickly hacked down, but he was brave in always wanting the ball. Booked. Barely gave the ball away. Reuters -
SUB: Sergino Dest 6 - On for Pique after 63. The team changed shape when he came on, shifting to a back four. He gave width and pushed forward in vain. Yet his side would concede rather than add a goal and the defeat, combined with wins for both Madrid sides, means Barça’s title hopes are over for this season. AFP -
SUB: Martin Braithwaite 5 - On for Griezmann after 69. Was brought on to score. His best chance came on 87 minutes when set up by Alba. He was close to goal but struggled to control it. AFP -
SUB: Trincao On for Dembele after 69. Limited impact. Reuters -
Miralem Pjanic - On for Illaix after 85 minutes. EPA
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's final La Liga game of the season against Eibar on Saturday in order to "enjoy a rest" before the Copa America.
The Argentine, who is still in contract negotiations with Barcelona, was given permission to miss training on Friday by Koeman and, with the club now out of the title race, will not play on Saturday.
Messi, 33, has already played 47 matches this season for Barca, scoring 38 goals, but his future at the club remains in doubt as he has been linked with a move to Manchester City where he could join up with former managerPep Guardiola.
"The striker can enjoy a rest before next month's Copa America after a season in which he is one of the players in the squad who has played most," Barcelona said in a statement.
