Barcelona Star Who Left On Loan To Turkish club Reveals How He Became Estranged To Koeman
- Miralem Pjanic has slammed Barcelona Ronald Koeman in a brutal tell-all interview with the Spanish press
- The Bosnian international recently left Barcelona to join Besiktas on loan after a frustrating spell under the Dutch gaffer
- In the interview, he termed Koeman a ‘strange’ manager, saying he did not understand why he was not being used at Barcelona
- Under Koeman, Pjanic only made 13 starts for Barcelona, with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri being preferred in midfield
Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic recently launched a scathing attack on ‘strange’ manager Ronald Koeman during a tell-all interview.
Source: Getty Images
After practically being on the exit door for most of last season, the Bosnia international finally secured a loan move to Turkish side Besiktas.
A combination of injuries and inconsistent form saw him only make six appearances for Barcelona last season, having sealed a sensational move from Juventus.
Now that he is no longer answering directly to Koeman, Pjanic wasted no time in slamming the Barcelona boss as he accused him of disrespect.
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In an interview with Marca, Pjanic was bluntly asked whether he felt disrespected at Barcelona, to which he answered “Yes”.
"I couldn't get used to the situation I faced last year. I knew I didn't want it. I'm a player. I love playing football, this is what makes me happy.
"I always wanted to play for Barca but I didn't expect the situation to get so complicated,” he said.
According to the playmaker, Koeman’s silence on his playing time was what aggrieved him most as he would have preferred being told up front that he was not part of the team’s plans.
"It was very strange, because a coach is the one who says who plays and who doesn't, but there are different ways to do things. I am a player who can accept everything but I would always like to be told things face to face. Not as if nothing happened and I was 15 years old,” he went on.
"I know that I can play for this team, they just haven't given me the chance to compete, to join a group, to help more."
During Pjanic’s time at Barcelona, Koeman preferred the likes of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri in midfield.
He continued to rip into the Barca boss, adding: "He had a cross against me from the beginning. It was hard to accept. I waited until the end for things to change. I played all of the Champions League games and we won 2-0 in Turin.”
Ansu Fati the new Barcelona number 10
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Ansu Fati will continue from where Lionel Messi stopped after Barcelona handed the Spanish star the legendary number ten shirt won by the Argentine for many years, Daily Mail.
It is understood that teenage midfielder Pedri who wore No.16 was in line to be given the shirt number after breaking into Ronald Koeman's team last season.
However, a recent video released by La Blaugrana on social media revealed how Fati was presented with the iconic number.
Source: Legit.ng
Akan Anwankwo Akan Anwankwo is a sports editor, a graduate of English Language and Literature Studies at the University of Lagos. He's passionate about what he does and finds fulfillment in informing readers.
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