Ronald Koeman "Cannot Take Charge Of Barcelona" In La Liga Yet

Ronald Koeman still cannot take charge of Barcelona in an official game - with the La Liga season set to resume later this month.

Koeman replaced Quique Setien in the Camp Nou hotseat earlier this summer and was even officially unveiled by president Josep Bartomeu.

However, Spanish publication Cadena COPE have reported Setien has not been sacked by the club officially.

Setien left the club after a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

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Barcelona made a statement when Setien left the club which read: "This is the first decision within a wider restructuring of the first team which will be agreed between the current technical secretary and the new coach, who will be announced in the coming days."

A severance package is to be agreed between the two parties and it leaves Koeman's situation on a knife edge with the season opener against Villarreal just 10 days away.

The Dutchman has been in the dugout for pre-season friendlies against Gimnastic and Girona in the last week.

A 3-1 victory over Girona on Wednesday has given Barca some hope going into the new season, after a dreadful campaign last time out.

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Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet while Philippe Coutinho impressed by grabbing an assist.

"My opinion is to have the best attack we can put on the pitch and some players, they can occupy different positions," Koeman explained per Goal.

"That is why we changed. It will be more difficult for the opponent if we change positions. Like Coutinho can play on the left, can play in the middle. Like [Antoine] Griezmann can play on the right, can play in the middle. Messi can play the nine, the winger inside, and it's a good thing to have those kinds of possibilities."

Despite the entire attacking receiving praise, it was once again Messi who stole all the headlines.

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The 33-year-old showed early signs of being at his best as he produced an inch-perfect pass to Francisco Trincao in the build-up for his side's first goal.

He then ended the first half on a high note as he added Barcelona's second goal in stunning fashion at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.

Do you think Ronald Koeman will be a success at Barcelona?

Let us know in the comments below.

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Ronald Koeman, La Liga

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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