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Dutch manager begins life at Barcelona without Messi

Ronald Koeman took his first training session as the new manager of Barcelona as his feud with star Lionel Messi continues.

After the sacking of Quique Setien, Koeman was appointed as the Catalan club’s new boss and took no time at all to ruffle a few feathers within the camp.

As talisman and club legend Messi was absent, the Dutchman was pictured alongside his squad in their first session together ahead of the new LaLiga season.

The Barcelona players were pictured taking part in some basic running drills, with winger Ousmane Demebele pictured jogging in the club’s new training kit.

Elsewhere, Gerard Pique was shown with a ball at his feet as he dribbled at a light pace in the Spanish sun.

However, Messi’s absence was the main talking point as he stayed away from Barcelona training for a second-straight day on Monday as he kept up his strategy to force a move to Manchester City.

So far Barcelona have not announced financial penalties for their striking captain although rules would allow them to suspend him without pay if and when he fails to show for Tuesday’s session.

Read Also:Β JUST-IN: Messi faces suspension at Barcelona amid events boycott

An agreement between LaLiga clubs and the Spanish players’ union stipulates that a player who misses three days of training can be suspended without pay and lose up to 25 per cent of his monthly salary.

The final decision over punishments is left with individual clubs however, and Barcelona appear unlikely to announce any action before a meeting between Messi’s father Jorge and club president Josep Bartomeu expected later this week.

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