FC Barcelona have slated reports that manager Gerardo Martino is to leave the Catalan giants and take the job as Argentina’s national coach.
Martino has hit the headlines recently as the Catalans try to find the winning formula that will crown them La Liga winners again.The coach is under increasing pressure as Barcelona have lost 3 games in quick succession in their bid to retain their crown. Losses to Valencia, Real Sociedad and Valladolid have sparked rumours of an early exit if the Argentine doesn’t bring home the goods.
To stay in the title race, Barcelona know they have to play how they know and produce a quality display against Real Madrid on Sunday in the Clásico.
And with so much at stake, talk of Gerardo Martino’s departure is rife but the club’s marketing vice-president Manuel Arroyo quickly stepped in to downplay any rumours at a press conference on Monday.
Arroyo said: “We found out a few minutes ago that this news was emanating from somewhere.
“We don’t support it, Tata is contracted to the club and in this week that is so important to us, he is dedicated to Barca.
“We asked him and he has flat out denied it. He has not spoken to anyone, including his staff, it’s completely false.”
Manuel Arroyo was then asked about if the coach’s contract included a clause that would make him free for the Argentina national job: “I can’t give you the exact date, but they’re practically habitual. It is a clause that exists not only for him but also for us, but I insist, there is no intention to invoke it.
“He hasn’t said that he’s going to continue, but we are all working towards the future together, more so in this very important week for the club ahead of our trip to the Santiago Bernabéu.”
This looks like being a tough week for the Argentine coach as Barcelona gear up towards the Clásico on Sunday. Martino hasn’t divulged his complete team at the moment but everything points to the usual experienced players as Martino wouldn’t want to take any chances on this game.
Certainly, a win for Barça would ease the pressure off the coach while cutting the distance in points between the two clubs.
Información Bitacoras.com
Valora en Bitacoras.com: Barcelona has rubbished reports that coach Martino will exit the club. The club’s marketing vice-president Manuel Arroyo downplayed the reports as completely false and said that the coach is dedicated to the Catalan giants. R.…