Sport Koeman: I am not the bad guy in Suarez-Barca movie but Messi's anger is normal

© Getty Images Luis Suarez hugs Lionel Messi

Ronald Koeman insisted he was not "the bad guy" in Luis Suarez's transfer away from Barcelona, although he could understand Lionel Messi's anger at the move.

Suarez, third on the list of all-time Barcelona goal scorers, left Camp Nou this week for Atletico Madrid.

It was reported Suarez was one of a number of senior stars informed by new coach Koeman they would have to leave the club following an underwhelming 2019-20 season.

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Ronald Koeman insisted he was not " the bad guy " in Luis Suarez 's transfer away from Barcelona, although he could understand Lionel Messi ' s anger at It was reported Suarez was one of a number of senior stars informed by new coach Koeman they would have to leave the club following an

“It is normal that a player is sad when a friend leaves,” Koeman said in a conciliatory tone toward Messi , a day after the star forward went to social media to complain that Barcelona’ s board had not given Suarez the exit he “deserved.” That is not true,” Koeman said. “It was a decision of the club.

But Koeman suggested some portrayals of this conversation were not entirely accurate, saying Suarez could have stayed but would have had a reduced role.

"It seemed that I had been the bad guy in this movie, but it is not like that," Koeman said ahead of the Blaugrana's LaLiga opener against Villarreal.

"Since the call [regarding Suarez's future], I have shown respect for him and I have always told him that it can be difficult to play but, if he stayed, he would be one of the squad.

"Before I signed the contract, the club was thinking about things, and I have tried to support those things. They are not just decisions of the coach.

"Luis and I respect each other and we have spoken clearly about his future. He had the opportunity to go to Atletico and I wish all the luck in the world."

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Ronald Koeman was still at Everton when he told the Catalan newspaper Sport that he had two dreams left to fulfil in football Yet, and while Frenkie de Jong is a common denominator in both jobs and a player who ought to improve on a difficult first year in Catalonia once Koeman is in charge, there is a

Messi blasted Barca on Friday for forcing Suarez out after six years of service in which he scored 198 goals, the Argentinean's latest attack on the club's hierarchy after he tried to force a move of his own last month. Koeman : I am not the bad guy in Suarez - Barca movie but Messi ' s anger is normal .

Suarez's exit prompted a furious Instagram post from captain Messi, whose own attempted departure was blocked by the club.

Messi said Suarez did not deserve "to get kicked out like [he] did", adding he was not surprised by Barca's actions.

Koeman responded: "It is normal for him to be upset that a friend has left, but I have no doubt about Messi. I have seen him train."

The former Netherlands coach, who would not rule out moves for Lautaro Martinez or Memphis Depay, is not concerned by the tumultuous nature of his early Barca reign.

"If you ask the coaches who have been at Barca, they will surely tell you that they have never had a quiet day," he said.

"I knew that when I had to face changes I would have people in favour and others against. I knew it.

"No problem, it is part of being in the best club in the world, although I hope there is a little more peace of mind."

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Luis Suarez and Diego Simeone are made for each other at Atletico

PETE JENSON: At the end of last season Simeone's nose twitched when it became clear Barcelona were booting out Suarez. He had always wanted the club to sign the Barcelona star.At the end of last season Simeone's nose twitched when it became clear Barcelona were booting out their third all-time highest scorer. He had always wanted the club to sign Suarez and had, in the same breath, always seen it as impossible. The deal still looked very hard to make work.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman believes Lionel Messi is slowly getting back to his best after a brace Messi scored twice, to go with Pedri' s goal, at San Mames on Wednesday as Barca recorded a It' s possibly true that he' s been less effective than normal which is why there could have been

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman believes Lionel Messi is slowly getting back to his best after a It's possibly true that he's been less effective than normal which is why there could have been doubts but Pedri cancelled out Inaki Williams' opener before Messi ' s double, and Barca moved into third in