The 57-year-old Dutchman, who led the Netherlands to qualify for the Euro 2020 final postponed after his appointment on a four-and-a-half-year contract in February 2018, appointed as a replacement for Quique Setien on Wednesday.
On a website of the Dutch football association, he said: “It has been an honor to be the national coach of the Netherlands. For the more than two and a half years, I’ve done everything I can to succeed.
“I look back proudly for what we have completed in combination with this period. The Dutch national team has a bright future, I am convinced.
“All that Barcelona is the club of my dreams. It’s very special for me to be a coach there.”
The director of football of the Dutch federation, Eric Gudde, admitted the regret of the guiding framework of Koeman’s departure, but expressed his contribution to the cause.
He said: “We, Ronald’s resolution, respect your choice.
Thank you, Coach. pic.twitter.com/ohC0kABz4t
– OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) 19 August 2020
“During Ronald’s time as national coach, he performed very well with the Dutch national team. He has given the national team a new life after several difficult years, and we are very grateful to him.
“During this time, the number of players has grown enormously. In this sense, we can continue on the same path.”
The appointment of Koeman, who had been informed in advance through Barca’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, was shown in a brief on the Official Online Page of the Catalan Club before an official press convention on Wednesday night.
He said: “FC Barcelona and Ronald Koeman have reached an agreement for the Dutchman to take over as first-team coach until 30 June 2022.”
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 19 August 2020
The Dutchman selected after Setien’s early departure following Bayern Munich’s 8-2 humiliation in the Champions League on Friday night.
He is the third player to take the helm this calendar year, with Setién succeeding Ernesto Valverde until January.
The former Southampton and Everton coach will inherit a team that finished five editions, La Liga champion, Real Madrid, and failed to win a trophy in the primary this season for the first time since 2013-14.
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 19 August 2020
Barca last tested the glory of the Champions League in 2015 with Luis Enrique and, Bartomeu rejected claims that star player Lionel Messi could leave Camp Nou due to his recent decline, Koeguy has a vital task to do.
He with at least much goodwill on the bench from his six years as a player with the Catalan giants.
The defender, nicknamed “Tintin”, played 350 games and scored 106 goals in Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team” between 1989 and 1995 and won 10 trophies throughout – 4 league titles, a European Cup, a Copa del Rey, a European Super Cup and 3 Spanish Super Cups.
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 19 August 2020
He is remembered to the maximum for his intention to win in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria at Wembley.
Koeman began his career in the game in holland with FC Groningen, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven and returned after moving to Barcelona to sign for Feyenoord, where he also worked as a coach.
He has already controlled in Spain for a short time with Valencia.