Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has insisted that sacking manager Ronald Koeman will not be the answer for the problems at the Camp Nou.
Following increasing disagreements between the manager and club president Joan Laporta, rumours have arisen that the Barca hierarchy plan to replace the Dutch boss, with a five-man shortlist of potential replacements reportedly drawn up.
Such concerns around Koeman have grown following Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League group stage, leaving the Blaugrana at the foot of their group after two games, having lost both of their opening two matches by the same scoreline.
As quoted by Goal, midfielder De Jong said: "I can't talk about Koeman, it's not for me to say. I don't think changing the coach can solve anything."
The Dutchman was appointed at the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign and saw them triumph in last season's Copa del Rey, but Barca eventually finished third in La Liga and dropped out of the Champions League round-of-16 stage.
Now sitting at the bottom of their continental group after two games, and having drawn three of their opening six matches in the Spanish top flight, the president is reportedly close to dismissing Koeman, with former Barca midfielder Xavi the current favourite to take over in Catalonia.
Sam Varley
