Today is a sad day in Spanish football as we have heard that Manuel Preciado has died of a heart attack. Villareal’s new boss was due to start work tomorrow but sadly passed away before taking hold of the reins of the relegated club.
Preciado, just 54, from Cantabria in the North of Spain, was chosen by Villareal to get them back into top flight football after being relegated this season. Many tributes have been coming in all day for the coach and Jose Mourinho has written a few words on the Real Madrid website. Manolo, which is how everyone called Manuel Preciado had a few run-ins with Mourinho especially after his team, Sporting managed to beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu last year in April 2011. It happened to be the first home defeat Mourinho had suffered in nine years.
The two coaches had a war of words earlier that season too with Mourinho accusing preciado of fielding a weak side against Barcelona and therefore gifting the Catalans with a win and 3 points. Despite the the highly publicized war of words, the two became friends and Preciado spoke of their “magnificent relationship” after a visit to Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground.
Mourinho wrote on the Real Madrid website the following:
“Manolo was always an honourable opponent, who I got to know well when he came to visit us in March.
He had everything that I like in a person and in sportsmen — character, openness and the courage to fight against blows.
We have been left by a football figure and above all by a very special person. My memory of him will be heartfelt and permanent.”
Manolo was a loved coach all over Spain and wasn’t one who minced his words. If he had anything to say, he would say it and always told it like it was. I’m sure he would have done a grand job at Villareal and certainly have taken them back to top flight football where they belong. Manuel preciado will be sorely missed and our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Información Bitacoras.com…
Valora en Bitacoras.com: Today is a sad day in Spanish football as we have heard that Manuel Preciado has died of a heart attack. Villareal’s new boss was due to start work tomorrow but sadly passed away before taking hold of the reins of the releg……