"I want to build my team around Messi" - Koeman

Barcelona endured a difficult season which saw the Catalan side sack two managers under the 2019-20 season.

Ernesto Valverde was sacked last year before December due to the controversial circumstances which saw ex Real Betis manager take over the affairs in the dug out.

Fans weren't satisfied with the performance of Setién and he was shown the exit door after their embarrassing loss to Bayern Munich.

If you recall that Barcelona's hopes of lifting the Champions League came to an end after Bavarians thrashed Quique Setién side 8-2 in the quarter final clash.

Immediately, Josep Bartomeu sacked sporting director, Eric Abidal and coach Quique Setién.

Meanwhile, the club has annouced that Ronald Koeman has been appointed. He was signed for two years with option to extend.

During his first media conference, he admitted he wants players who are willing to suit his philosophy.

Sky Sports had suggested that the Barcelona board are set for a massive clear out of some aging players in the summer.

"I only want players who want to be here," Koeman said.

The former Southampton and Everton manager was previously a player of Barcelona back in the 90's.

He added that he would love to build a solid relationship with Lionel Messi who has been repoeted to leave in the summer.

Koeman said: "I don't know if I have to convince Messi. I don't know if it's a yes or a no. Messi is the best player in the world and you want him on your team, not on your opponent's. For me, as a coach, I'd love to work with Messi. Because he wins you games. And if you can get out of him what he's proved he can do, I'd be delighted if he stayed. But he's a Barcelona player and he's got a contract. I need to speak to him, of course, he's the captain. Decisions need to be made but hopefully Messi stays here for years."

It's been gathered that Koeman stepped down as the manager of Netherlands after two years with the Oranje.

"If I tell you what I'm going to say to Messi, I won't need to meet with him. These are private things between a coach and a player. I want to know what he Messi thinks. And then it's up to me to take decisions. But, again, Messi has a year's contract. But he's such an important player that any team would want him," he added.