Ronald Koeman speaking with the Catalan press and flirting with the Barcelona job, for which he got a very easy ride (read more on that here), seems to have done the trick.
Juan Carlos Unzue, Luis Enrique’s current assistant, is said to have dropped down the pecking order after ‘recent developments’ in the dressing room.
Koeman making it clear he’s keen is a big plus, but his €8m exit clause at Everton would likely still be a concern for Barcelona.
Despite Koeman shooting up the list, he’s not favourite, and not expected to get the job. However, the manager moving up the likelihood list, quite a bit, will help in the future.
Should Valverde get in, and struggle over his first season, or two if he gets a second, then Koeman could be seen as the first reserve. That may have been the plan behind speaking about his desire for the job.
Valverde is currently manager of Athletic Club Bilbao, 6th in La Liga after finishing 5th last year, which suggests Koeman wouldn’t have to break into the top four with Everton to be top candidate next time around.
