Ronald Koeman will be the new manager of Barcelona, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed.

Koeman, 57, is currently in charge of the Netherlands, but is expected to join the Catalans this week.

Speaking on Tuesday night, Bartomeu said: “Koeman is the one we’ve chosen. If nothing goes wrong he will be the head coach next season.”

Bartomeu also dismissed rumours that Barca’s linchpin Lionel Messi who is reportedly unsettled at the club could leave.

“Messi wants to end his career at Barca, he has said that many times.

“I have spoken with Koeman and the pillar of our project is Messi.

“He has a contract until 2021, I speak a lot with Leo and more regularly with his father.

“He is number one in the world. There is no doubt that in Koeman’s new project you can count on Messi,” Bartomeu declared.

But the president admitted that the club would have to sell players.

“There is money but Covid-19 has reduced income so we have to reduce payroll to be able to bring in new footballers,” he said.

Koeman, represented the Catalan giants between 1989 and 1995 and helped them to four league titles and the European Cup.

Meanwhile, the LaLiga runners up sacked sporting director Eric Abidal on Tuesday, one day after relieving head coach Quique Setien of his duties.

The dismissals come after the club’s humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last eight on Friday.