Ronald Koeman: see why he will not be sacked even if Barcelona loses to Rayo Vallecano

Ronald Koeman's situation at Barcelona is made complicated by the financial situation of the Spanish club. On sporting merit, he should have been sacked this season but the current situation of the club means he is stealing time and staying beyond the time he should have.

Barcelona came into this season with the loss of Lionel Messi, a new president beginning the first full season of a new era amidst a lot of financial worries. If it is anything at all, the presence of Lionel Messi could have helped both the situation on and off the field, even Koeman admitted it last season.

Ronald Koeman has repeatedly been backed in public by President Joan Laporta who sees him as a club legend and as a friend and calls for all and sundry to rally round him and give him the needed respect and support. He also made it known the financial situation of the club would make it difficult to sack him.

Koeman matched an unwanted record of 85 years after losing the El Clasico 2-1 on Sunday, becoming the second Barcelona manager to lose three straight El Clasico after Patrick O'Connell in 1935/36 season.