Netherlands reveal Koeman´s Barcelona exit clause

Ronald Koeman has a clause in his Netherlands contract that allows him to leave to coach Barcelona, but Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) director Nico-Jan Hoogma hopes he stays put.

One point from their final two qualifying matches in Group C will see Netherlands clinch their place at Euro 2020 and they are in good shape after winning their past four games.

Former Barca defender Koeman is under contract until the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup and Hoogma hopes not to change coach until after the tournament in Qatar.

“I hope we can work together for a very long time, because I think it is going very well,” Hoogma said of Koeman on FOX Sports.

“But Ronald has long indicated that he wants to be Barcelona coach someday. Let’s see what will happen.

“Success with Oranje will certainly help him. But again, I hope that the process continues up to and including the World Cup in Qatar.”

Important win and another step closer to @UEFAEURO pic.twitter.com/BkQhQZyl9s

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) October 14, 2019

Barcelona are top of LaLiga after nine matches in 2019-20 but question marks linger over the future of head coach Ernesto Valverde, who came under pressure towards the end of last season.

The Blaugrana’s elimination from the Champions League semi-finals by Liverpool and defeat in the Copa del Rey final to Valencia left Valverde’s position in doubt, but Hoogma indicated Koeman would not come cheap if there is an attempt to lure him to Camp Nou.

“Agreements have been made about it,” said Hoogma. “They will have to pay something for him. How much? I’m not talking about that.

“After one year [of Koeman’s time in charge] we still have a year to go to the European Championship, so this is not the time [to talk about it].

“No matter how I respond, there will always be people who say if they [Barcelona] come for him, he will go anyway.”