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Ronald Koeman hopeful of Barcelona stay after talks with president

Ronald Koeman hopes to stay on as Barcelona coach next season with further talks planned with president Joan Laporta for the end of the season.

Koeman and Laporta met at a restaurant in Barcelona earlier this week to discuss the recent downturn in results. With two games to go in La Liga, Barca's title hopes have faded following just one win in their last four games.

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Sources told ESPN earlier in the week there are growing doubts among the board over Koeman's future, although a lack of credible alternatives could see him kept on.

"I can't explain much," Koeman said in a news conference on Saturday when asked what he spoke about with Laporta. "We talked about the team, the season and recent results. We've arranged to meet again after the season."

Pressed on whether he came out of Thursday's meeting believing he will fulfil the second year of his contract, Koeman stressed a desire to stay but acknowledged Laporta will have the final word.

"The end of the season is the right moment to speak, above all for the club," he added. "I want to stay; I am happy and I see a lot of room to improve things. It's a path that doesn't end this season.

"In my opinion, there are a lot of positives. You can't say two weeks ago everything is perfect and now it's all terrible. That's not fair. [Laporta] will have the final say but I am relaxed."

Defeat to Granada and draws against Atletico Madrid and Levante have left Barca four points off the top with two games to go. If leaders Atletico beat Osasuna on Sunday, Barca's title hopes will be mathematically over, regardless of how they fare against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou.

As a result, Koeman has faced criticism but he called for more reflection given Barca won the Copa del Rey in April and fought back from being 13 points behind to get back into the title race.

"I feel a little bit [mistreated] in the last two weeks," he added. "If you analyse a season, you must analyse the changes to the team, the young players, that we won the cup, that we had 13 points [fewer] in December and we're still fighting for the league -- [even if] it's a small possibility.

"That's what you need to analyse. And if I heard the media in the last few days, it looks like we did a really bad job and I don't agree.

"I feel supported by the players and the team has a big future. If we can sign what we think we lack to take the next step, I think we can be very excited about the team next season."

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