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Miralem Pjanic has hit out at Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman after sealing a late summer exit from the Camp Nou. The midfielder has joined Turkish side Besiktas on a season-long loan.
The midfielder has barely featured since joining the Catalan giants from Juventus in the summer of 2020. Pjanic spent most of last season on the bench and has not managed a single minute of first-team action in 2021-22.
Pjanic has now hit out at the way he’s been treated by Barcelona coach Koeman in an interview with Marca. The 31-year-old has made it clear he is not happy with life under the Dutchman at the Camp Nou.
“Koeman disrespected me. He was never talking to me! I’m a player who can accept everything but I would always like it to be explained to me… and not as if I was 15,” he said as reported by Fabrizio Romano. “I agreed to lower my salary and join Besiktas because I love playing football.”
The midfielder has agreed to reduce his salary by 60 per cent, according to Marca. Pjanic had been one of Barca’s highest earners before agreeing a loan move to Besiktas. The Turkish side will pay €2.7m of his annual salary with Barca picking up the rest, as reported by Football Espana.
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Pjanic Talks Time at Barcelona
Pjanic also spoke about his love for Barcelona and how he had always wanted to play for the Catalan giants.
“I have always loved the way Barca played and watching their game. It is clear that Barça’s philosophy in recent years has been adapted to my football and what I love,” he said. “For me, it was always a big goal to play for a club like Barça.”
The midfielder also insisted he had no regrets despite struggling for game time during his brief stay with the Catalan giants.
“No, never. Things happen in life, and I’ve always fought through my career,” he added. I’m ambitious, competitive, I’ve reached the level of Barcelona and Juventus. I know I can play for those teams, I just wasn’t given a chance.”
What Next For Pjanic?
Pjanic will spend the rest of the season with Besiktas, although there is no purchase option in his loan deal which means the midfielder could return to the Camp Nou once his temporary deal expires.
The midfielder insists he is looking forward to the season with Besiktas but is not ruling out a return to the Camp Nou at some point in the future.
“I have a contract and I’ve always spoken highly of the club. I just had bad luck with the coach,” he said. “But Barcelona are Barcelona. I cannot spend another year without playing, I have to play. I’m focused, happy and I can’t wait to start the season with Besiktas.”
Pjanic now has the chance to feature regularly and show Barcelona exactly what he can do at Besiktas. The midfielder is contracted to Barca until 2024 but it remains to be seen what will happen once his loan deal expires at the end of the season.
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