profile/4088IMG_20200308_160646.jpg
Princelaw
Barcelona's President Takes On Present Disgraced
~1.0 mins read
Josep Maria Bartomeu has hinted at changes
at Barcelona in the immediate aftermath of
their crushing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich
in the Champions League.
The president has been one of those heavily
criticised by the Catalans' recent failings, while
Quique Setien and the players have also been
singled out.
"It's a really heavy defeat," Bartomeu said after
the game.
"I want to congratulate Bayern, who played a
great game. They deserve to go through to the
semi finals.
"We weren't at our best, nor near it.
"Today was a disaster and now we have to make
decisions.
"We've already thought about some of them.
"Today isn't a day for decisions.
"We want to apologise to the fans, members and
Barcelonistas."
When pushed on who those decisions would
involve, Bartomeu didn't give anything away.
"I'm not going to say what [decisions] they are
because some of them have already been made
and others will be made," he added.
"Today is a day to reflect. From tomorrow, we'll
try to lift the spirits of all the Barcelona fans and
we'll make decisions from next week."
profile/4088IMG_20200308_160646.jpg
Princelaw
THE MISTAKES BARCELONA'S NEW COACH CAN'T REPEAT
~2.8 mins read
After humiliation in Lisbon, Quique Setien's
spell in the Barcelona dugout looks to be
coming to an end, though the question
remains of who will replace him.
Barcelona are considering a number of names,
including Ronald Koeman as a leading
candidate.
The sporting management team know that they
must get the next appointment right as any
failure would only make the current crisis worse
and cause a number of high-profile figures to
leave the club.
What's clear is that the new coach must learn
from the mistakes of his predecessors if he is to
have success.
MANAGING OF DRESSING ROOM SITUATION
The untouchable figures in the squad have
gained too much influence and as was
foreseeable years ago, it has made the role of
coach a difficult one.
If a respected figure like Luis Enrique had
problems with this, it's normal that those who
have followed have struggled too.
GAMBLE ON THE YOU SYSTEM.
With the current pandemic and the club's
financial situation, focusing on young talents will
be important.
Setien hasn't dared to give Riqui Puig or Ansu
Fati the key roles they were deserving of and
that cannot continue.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT.
Whoever comes in will not have long to prepare
pre-season with just weeks until the start of the
new LaLiga Santander season.
It will also be a season with elections, with a
change in the board midway through the season,
so the new coach will have to convince the new
president.
THE PRESS.
Setien promised to play good football in his
presentation but couldn't follow through on his
promise.
Managing his image and not making promises or
having to explain comments to the squad after a
press conference will be crucial for the new man
in charge.
MANGLE MESSI.
The best player in history is past his peak and it
could be his last season in Barcelona so if the
coach does have him available, he has to make it
clear that he will need to wind down in
importance just as Andres Iniesta and Xavi
have before him.
Having a say in transfers
In recent years Barcelona have signed players
without thinking about the coach, singing
unknown players the coach hadn't asked for who
ended up leaving through the back door.
They seemed to be destined to improve the club's
finances rather than adding value to the team,
but the new coach should insist on having an
influence on transfers.
STYLE OF PLAY.
The loss of Barcelona's trademark style has been
a slow process but an unstoppable one, even in
spite of Setien's appointment with the Johann
Cruyff style.
Setien's style was inconsistent, his side was often
offensive and then would sit in their own half
once they had gone ahead.
Recover discipline
Beyond just the influential figures in the dressing
room, Barcelona need a figure of authority who
can take decisions with respect from the players.
CHANGING TRAINING.
Several players have considered training at
Barcelona in recent years to be too lightweight
with little intensity and following the demands of
the players and that has to change.
Advertisement
Link socials
Matches
Loading...