UEFA announced on Wednesday that they would suspend Euro 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis, postponing it until 2021. The European Championship will not go ahead this summer as initially planned as the governing body opted for Euro 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.
This decision was a welcomed one as it gives the domestic leagues breathing space to wrap up their seasons and would not increase the risk of spreading the virus. Despite this, it has handed Barcelona one setback and that has to do with Ronald Koeman.
When the Blaugrana sacked Ernesto Valverde and began their search for his replacement, one of their key targets was Ronald Koeman. The Dutchman, being a former player at Camp Nou, would have been an ideal fit but was under contract with the Dutch national team and was preparing them for the European Championship.
The Catalan giants ended up appointing Quique Setien but Koeman did reveal that he has a clause in his contract with the Oranje that would allow him to leave after the Euros if Barcelona came calling.
However, given that the European Championship has been pushed back 12 months, the same is true for that clause. The 56-year-old confirmed this himself, saying (as per AS): "The clause in my contract to go to Barcelona is for after the European Championship. No date has been mentioned, so now it's after the European Championship in 2021. But I haven't thought about it for a second anyway."
It remains unclear whether Barcelona would have pursued Koeman after Euro 2020 had it taken place this summer. However, should things go sour for Setien, the Blaugrana would have to wait for the Dutchman.
