CADIZ (Reuters) - Barcelona president Joan Laporta backed beleaguered coach Ronald Koeman on Thursday, a day after the Dutchman read a statement in his pre-game news conference in which he asked to be given time.

Laporta, who was speaking in Cadiz ahead of Barca's LaLiga meeting with the Andalusians on Thursday, said the board would not shirk tough decisions if they needed to be made and added that he wanted the club to play better football.