It was an unspoken secret but no longer. Ronald Koeman admitted on Tuesday, after the UEFA Nations League draw, that Barcelona offered him a job to replace Ernesto Valverde in January.
"Yes, it's true that Barca spoke to me but I said no because I'm with the national team (Holland) and I have a commitment to stay in charge," said Koeman.
It's not the first time the former player has been linked as a possible candidate for the Barca bench.
On Frenkie de Jong, whom he coaches with the national side, he added: "For me, his performance has been good. He plays in a different position to the one he's used to but they are technical decisions. He's a very young player, he's learning a lot, but I think with me in the national team he plays differently."