Panaji: Barcelona’s newly-appointed manager Ronald Koeman wants Hyderabad FC coach Albert Roca on his side at Nou Camp. Roca has been an assistant to Frank Rijkaard from 2003-08 at Barcelona.
Former Dutch international Koeman has been signed a two year deal with Barcelona after Quique Setin was being axed following their 8-2 drubbing by Bayern Munich. Reports claim that as many as seven players will be axed this season. Koeman’s managerial appointment would be a challenge to Johan Cruyff’s legacy as he needs to prove himself like his predecessor and his former teammates Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.
Roca on the other hand had a good stint in India with Bengaluru FC. He has won the Federation Cup with them in 2017, took them to the finals of the AFC Cup in 2016, won the Super Cup 2018. Last season he was being appointed by Hyderabad FC due to the disastrous season they had under Phil Brown.
But this has been a difficult situation for Hyderabad FC as they were going through a rebuilding process. “Obviously, it’s a big opportunity for Roca to go to Barcelona but Hyderabad have to look at their own interest too. The club depends a lot on Roca,” a Hyderabad FC official was quoted as saying to TOI.
Hyderabad FC finished at the bottom of the table in ISL 2019-20 season. With the merger with German giants Borussia Dortmund this season, Hyderabad FC will hope to finish in the top half of the league and Roca can help them with all his experience. But this recent development has caused some doubts in Hyderabad FC team management.
