Clasico will decide Martino’s future says Toshack

Toshack thinks that this sunday’s Clásico will decide Martino’s future

Barça go head to head with Real Madrid on sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu trailing by four points in La Liga and need this win to cut the deficit and get back on track if they are to secure their Spanish league crown.

John Toshack is well-known and well-respected in Spain and has spent over 10 years in the country with two spells with Real Madrid. Toshack knows all about the pressure in Spain and knows what Martino is going through. The Argentine coach has been going through a rough patch that has seen his team lose points to Valladolid and Real Sociedad in quick succession as well as ceding the top spot in La Liga to main rivals Real Madrid.

Toshack also knows about the off field problems that Barcelona have been going through lately, particularly the NeymarGate scandal, which saw the resignation of Barça president Sandro Rosell. The Welshman knows that this type of “unwanted publicity” is not good for a team and Tata Martino has no control over it.

Speaking to Spanish radio Cadena SER, Toshack noted: “You cannot say that he was unfortunate to arrive at Barcelona, it is a privilege, but things have occurred out of his control and have influenced the general support”.

However, Toshack did warn that the Barça job just like the Real Madrid job was a results-based position and that his future could well hinge on Sunday’s Clásico result.

“Any manager feels uncomfortable if they do not win whether in Barça or Benidorm. We live by results and successes, I wish the best for Tata but the result could judge his future.”

Wise news from the Welshman who is no stranger to Spanish football and the pressures which come with the job.