According to widespread media reports in Spain, the Argentinian is set
to be confirmed as the next Barca boss on a three-year contract
following talks yesterday.
The 50-year-old led Newell’s Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season but recently severed ties with the club.
Barcelona have made no official announcement.
The Spanish champions are searching for a new coach after announcing on Friday night that Vilanova was stepping down from the post as he continues his battle with cancer.
The 50-year-old led Newell’s Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season but recently severed ties with the club.
Barcelona have made no official announcement.
The Spanish champions are searching for a new coach after announcing on Friday night that Vilanova was stepping down from the post as he continues his battle with cancer.
A host of coaches had been linked to the vacant position, including
former Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique, Andre Villas-Boas, Marcelo Bielsa,
Michael Laudrup, Rubi and most recently Guus Hiddink, who yesterday
resigned as coach Anzhi Makhachkala.
However, it seems Martino is now poised to take the reigns at the Catalan giants.
Barca captain Carles Puyol was asked about the possible options at a press conference yesterday morning and he stressed the importance of bringing in a coach who believes in the club’s “philosophy”.
He said: “I think all the names that have been mentioned are capable of coaching this team. We all know that Zubi (sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta) and the board are working hard and we’re sure they’ll bring us the best coach.
“We have a certain way of playing; a philosophy. The coach that comes in will follow that line and I’m sure that Zubi and the directors are looking for a coach that can adapt to our characteristics.
“I know (Martino) is a very good coach, who likes the style of the club. And you all know that I have a very good relationship with Luis (Enrique) — he’s one of the most accomplished names — but I like all the others who have been mentioned.”
Barca captain Carles Puyol was asked about the possible options at a press conference yesterday morning and he stressed the importance of bringing in a coach who believes in the club’s “philosophy”.
He said: “I think all the names that have been mentioned are capable of coaching this team. We all know that Zubi (sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta) and the board are working hard and we’re sure they’ll bring us the best coach.
“We have a certain way of playing; a philosophy. The coach that comes in will follow that line and I’m sure that Zubi and the directors are looking for a coach that can adapt to our characteristics.
“I know (Martino) is a very good coach, who likes the style of the club. And you all know that I have a very good relationship with Luis (Enrique) — he’s one of the most accomplished names — but I like all the others who have been mentioned.”
Instead, Barcelona's next boss is Argentinean coach, Gerardo 'Tata'
Martino, arguably the football figure with the most Wikipedia hits over
the past 24 hours. The former Newell's manager and player is reportedly
the choice of club president, Sandro Rosell, and most importantly of
all, Leo Messi. Tata happens to be the footballing hero of the Barca
player's father and is known well to the striker himself. 'Messi leads a
lot there and Eto'o and Ibra know it well, amongst others,' noted 'AS'
editor Alfredo Relano.
In the same way that Arsenal fans were nonplussed by the appointment
of the very unknown Arsene Wenger, back in the day, Tata Martino has
caused more confusion and concern in the Barcelona world rather than
optimism. In an online poll published in 'Sport' on Tuesday morning,
only 48% thought the appointment was a good idea. 'Martino will have to
win over the majority of fans who do not really understand his signing,
through not knowing him,' argued Santi Nolla in 'Mundo Deportivo'.
However, ignorance of a coach is not a good reason to oppose his
arrival. Martino will be coming to the Catalan capital having been in
football management since 1998. Luis Enrique's resume, for example,
currently contains a spell at Barcelona 'B' and a failed season at Roma.
The coach has been recommended to the club by big hitters in La Liga
such as Jorge Valdano and Bielsa himself.
The 50-year-old will certainly have a lot of challenges on his agenda
aside from making himself more familiar to the club's supporters.
There's getting the best out of Neymar and finding a top-class
centre-back. Real Madrid look set to mount a strong domestic challenge
too, under Carlo Ancelotti. However, Tata arrives at a time at Barcelona
when some fresh ideas are desperately required. Bayern Munich's
destruction of the team in the Champions League rocked Barça back on
their heels and made some feel that the possession and pressing style of
the team needed a rethink. Figures such as Carles Puyol and Xavi
Hernandez are in the final years of their careers and the squad needs a
hefty reboot.
Rather that delaying this process and appointing a continuity
candidate, Barcelona have been bold and appointed a relative unknown on a
two-year deal. However, Tata Martino is going to have to quickly become
familiar with the ways of La Masia, the club and its footballers. Most
crucially of all, the Argentinean is going to have to work even harder
to convince the team's supporters that he is the right man to put
Barcelona back on the right path.
