Former Barcelona and Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has again slammed Ronald Koeman’s tenure as manager at Camp Nou, claiming that Koeman’s training sessions lacked intensity, and ideas and failed to include any tactical work.
It’s no doubt that ever since Ronald Koeman was employed as Barcelona’s manager, his tenure was bound to fail.
Observing his coaching style from a strictly tactical viewpoint, Koeman’s lack of a prudent and quality footballing identity led to his expiration at Camp Nou with coach Xavi taking over from him in November 2021.
Hence, former Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who left the Spanish club for Sharjah FC earlier this summer, has delivered his blunt opinion, stating the differences between Koeman and the current Barcelona boss, Xavi.
Miralem Pjanic in an interview said: “I was very surprised in training with Koeman.
“There was no intensity, no tactics, no ideas. We did not prepare for the games.”
Barcelona sacked Ronald Koeman last year October and was replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez.
Miralem Pjanic only worked under the new manager Xavi briefly this summer before he left as a loan player to Besiktas, but said training under the new coach has improved massively.
Meanwhile, according to Pjanic, he said the former Catalan boss Koeman would never watch training sessions the day after a match, and those that had not played the previous day would train with them and the coach, out of ignorance, will use them.
The 32-year-old Pjanic added: “Preparation and training were good under Xavi, similar to what I was used to at Juventus, for example, where we won everything.
“Now the sessions at Barca have a lot of intensity. Xavi and his staff were very clear with us at the start of the season. They told us this year we would have to run and go 2000 miles per hour.
“Every day is like a game in training at Barcelona now, because there is so much quality in the squad and a lot of intensity.”
Meanwhile, It is not the first time the 32-year-old former Juventus midfielder Pjanic has aimed Ronald Koeman, who will take over from Louis van Gaal as Netherlands coach after the upcoming Qatar World Cup.
Following his move to Besiktas on a season-long loan last September, Pjanic revealed how arrogant Koeman was during playing under him.
He said: “Koeman disrespected me,” He never talked to me. I am a player who can take anything, but I want to be told to my face and not [treated] as if I am a 15-year-old.”
Who is Miralem Pjanic?
Miralem Pjanić is a Bosnian professional football player who currently plays as a midfielder for UAE Pro League club Sharjah and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
Miralem Pjanic Age and place of birth
birth
He was born on the 2nd of April 1990 in Tuzla, SFR Yugoslavia.(age 32)
His religion.
The 32-year-old former Barcelona midfielder Pjanić is a Muslim.
Pjanic’s wife
Miralem Pjanic is married to Josepha Pjanic.
Josepha was born on August 22, 1988, in Nice, France. While the footballer is a Muslim, Pjanic’s wife Josepha practices Christianity.
Miralem Pjanic Salary and Net worth
Miralem Pjanic earns £107,000 per week, £5,564,000 per year playing for Barcelona as a DM, AMC. Miralem Pjanic’s net worth is £66,456,000.
Miralem Pjanic’s Unsuccessful Journey at Barcelona
Pjanic left Juventus to join Barcelona on the 29th of June, 2022, on a deal worth €60 million, plus a maximum of €5 million bonus.
Miralem Pjanić signed a four-year contract with the Spanish side which was to end in 2024 but with a buy-out clause of €400 million.
The 32-year-old made his debut for the Catalan on the 27th of September, coming on as a substitute in a 4–0 home win over Villarreal in La Liga.
However, Pjanić’s journey at Barcelona was unsuccessful, as he only made 30 appearances for the club; being named 13 times in the starting XI and he spent an average of 43 minutes on the pitch but did not score or assist any goals.
The 32-year-old Pjanic made all his 30 appearances for Barcelona in his only full season under Koeman in 2020-21, whereas, the majority of his outings were as a substitute.
Miralem Pjanic then departed from Barca to spend last season on loan with the Turkish club Besiktas before joining Sharjah FC on a permanent basis in September 2022.
Pjanic has been impressive since he joined his new side. He scored on his debut for Sharjah in a 3-0 victory and was also instrumental in another 3-0 victory against Khorfakkan.
