Gerardo Martino to leave Barça?
Barcelona have reportedly penned a list of potential managers to replace Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino on the Barça bench, according to Spanish sports newspaper “Sport”.
If the Catalan giants fail to retain their Spanish League crown this year, the “Azulgrana” club will have a list of names that they want to replace him with. Argentine Gerardo Martino’s head is on the block as doubts have started to creep in over the methods used by the experienced trainer. Barcelona lost out to Real Sociedad in the league last weekend by 3 goals to 1, which let eternal rivals Real Madrid in through the back door to take the top spot in La Liga table. Atlético Madrid also failed to win their match, and therefore sit behind the Catalans.
It’s not just the league title either, Martino may even have to get to the final or win the Champions League to prove his worth to the club he took over from Tito Vilanova.
The former Newell’s Old Boys and Paraguay coach has been under increasing pressure these last few weeks from both board members and fans of the Catalan giants, following a change in style that is a long way from Barcelona’s unique Tiki Taka method deployed by Pep Guardiola and invented by Dutch legend Johann Cruyff.
However, it is also reported that the Argentine coach wants to leave in the summer and according to Sport, Martino mentioned that he had enough strength to carry on for a second term at the club. It is well known that Martino feels the pressure of the high profile job, and may want to change for something less stressful.
Former Tottenham Hotspur coach, Portuguese Andre Villas-Boas is top of the shortlist and is joined by Spaniards Ernesto Valderde and former player and Celta Vigo boss, Luis Enrique.
Also in the mix are Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone. While these last two are excellent choices, Barcelona is more likely to opt for the first three as they are coaches that fit better within Barcelona’s style of play.
