Ronald Koeman has had an eventful year which saw him leave his post as Netherlands boss to take the hotseat at Barcelona.
The 57-year-old underwent a heart procedure in Amsterdam back in May after experiencing chest pain, when it was revealed that he had suffered from a small heart attack.
The Dutchman fell ill at his home and underwent cardiac catheterisation, which involves the placement of a long, thin tube into a vein or artery and is typically performed without general anaesthetic.
He had to leave his home in an ambulance and had to undergo surgical intervention to be brought into a stable condition.
That was three months before the big Barcelona news that he would replace Quique Setien in the hotseat in the close season, and he has now explained that the medical incident nudged him into accepting the position at the Camp Nou.
Koeman has told reporters, as per Marca: “It’s true that when things like this happen to you, or when you have people by your side who have been sick, life changes a bit.
“After my heart attack, I think about things a little differently, probably. The opportunity to coach Barça was now or never. I am 57 years old, I have been a coach for many years, I don’t want to end up training at 70 either. The moment was now.”
Koeman is the best coach Barcelona can have for rebuilding the team. He just need some more time to start the process. The financial crisis has to be overcome so he can start changing the squad little by little and build the new dynasty.