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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Barcelona confirm Ronald Koeman as new head coach on two-year deal

Barcelona have confirmed the appointment of Ronald Koeman as their new head coach on a two-year deal.

The 57-year-old Dutchman, who spent six years at the Nou Camp as a player, will leave his job in charge of Netherlands' national team. Koeman will be unveiled by the club at 5pm BST on Wednesday.

Predecessor Quique Setien was sacked last Friday after Barcelona suffered their worst defeat in European competition history with an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich,

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."

Koeman will be the third man at the helm this year, with Setien having only replaced Ernesto Valverde in January and inherits a side which finished second to 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.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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