And Koeman, currently in charge at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands, has backed his former boss Johan Cruyff as the ideal man to take over the role as technical director at the Nou Camp.

'I think I would do it,' said Koeman when asked by Catalan TV if he would be prepared to return to coach Barcelona.

'It's a question for the future, though, so it's not easy to say.

'I would never go to Real Madrid. It's impossible. I have such a bond with Barcelona, the city and the supporters.'

Koeman scored the winning goal in Barcelona's sole European Cup win against Sampdoria at Wembley in 1992 when Cruyff was in charge of the 'Dream Team'.

'Cruyff would be a good candidate for the role of technical director,' added Koeman.

'He has the experience and he doesn't want the job as coach. It's important that the two jobs of coach and techncial director aren't done by the same person, as is the case at the moment. It's a lot of work.

'There are a lot of other potential candidates for the job, though.'