Barcelona are facing a bizarre situation whereby Ronald Koeman will not be allowed to sit in the dugout for La Liga matches due to a dispute with ex-boss Quique Setien, according to reports.
Following their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich, the Catalan club quickly axed Setien and brought in former Netherlands boss Koeman as his replacement.
However, according to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Barca have yet to reach a settlement with Setien over his departure meaning La Liga are yet to process his dismissal.
The Spanish coach is demanding that Barca pay him the remaining year of his contract, but Camp Nou bosses are hoping to negotiate a smaller pay-off.
Until an agreement has been reached, Barca will be unable to register Koeman – which means he will not be permitted to sit on the bench for any official matches.
Barca’s financial issues have been well publicised, with the club struggling to make any new signings this summer, and their situation has been hampered by off-field turmoil.
Setien and Barcelona have so far been at loggerheads, with the coach holding a strong position and fully aware that his old club only have a week to sort out the situation.
Barcelona take on Villarreal on Sunday 27 September in their first game of the new La Liga season and, as things stand, Koeman will have to watch the match from afar.
Before then, Barca have one final pre-season friendly against Elche having given a promising display against Girona on Wednesday night, with Philippe Coutinho opening the scoring and Lionel Messi grabbing a brace to put to bed any suggestions he is still frustrated over his failed transfer away from Camp Nou.
