Interim Barcelona president rules out Ronald Koeman sack

Interim Barcelona president Carles Tusquets has insisted that he will not consider sacking Ronald Koeman despite La Blaugrana's inconsistent form.

Koeman's side dropped more points in the La Liga title race with a 2-2 draw against Valencia on Saturday - a result which leaves Barca eight points adrift of current leaders Atletico Madrid having played a game more.

Koeman has come under heavy criticism recently and has seen his Camp Nou future called into question, but Tusquets has publicly backed the under-fire Dutchman.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Tusquets said: "I will not fire anyone, at all. [Ronald] Koeman is doing well, he has great criteria, he bets on the youth system and young players.

"He absolutely has my support and he will always have it. I've eaten with him recently and I found him to be optimistic. When the stadium is reopened it will not be very difficult to recover this club, not in the economic sphere and I hope not in the sporting sphere.

"Barcelona are betting on a new generation of players, which suits the club right now as we are in the midst of a change of cycle."

Koeman's men next face a midweek trip to a struggling Real Valladolid side before they host Eibar in La Liga after Christmas.