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Word to honor Koeman loyal to Ajax despite Barca interestPosted: Monday May 19, 2003 9:49 AMBARCELONA (Reuters) -- Ajax coach Ronald Koeman has admitted that he has been approached by a number of Barcelona presidential candidates to take charge at the Catalan club, but says he will remain with the Dutch side until 2004. "I have given my word to Ajax that I will fulfil my contract which runs until 2004," the former Barcelona player told the Catalan daily El Periodico on Monday. "The club (Ajax) know that I would love to coach Barcelona but I signed a contract for two and a half years and until then I will devote myself to Ajax. I don't want to break my word even if it is for Barcelona." Koeman, who enjoys a hero-like status at Barcelona after scoring the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria, is seen as one of the few coaches who could unite the troubled club. In recent weeks the Catalan press have speculated that one of the candidates for the presidency might unveil Koeman as the successor to present coach Radomir Antic in an attempt to gain an edge in the campaign for the next month's elections. Koeman has won widespread praise for steering his young Ajax side to the quarterfinals of this season's Champions League.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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