Ronald koeman . New barca manager.

[PaddyJames]

No self-respecting manager worth his salt would have taken that Barcelona job in the summer after all that Messi player power nonsense. Especially a manager who has just led his country to next years European Championships with a relatively decent chance of winning it. Yeah only an absolute plant-pot would do that.

Step-Forward .........

I used to love La-Liga but I've completely lost all interest. maybe its a growing older thing but outside of the PL and Championship I really couldn't give a flying one.

 

[PaddyJames]

At the moment they seem better when he's rested. Barcelona would have to change the whole club structure for Messi to stay imo. Looks completely demotivated to me. Best for both parties if he leaves.

I think they would have binned him off if it wasn't for the fans kicking off. I always thought Messi was the sound one and Ronaldo the biff but Messi seems like an arrogant little wet-wipe.

 

[FCBarça]

At the moment they seem better when he's rested. Barcelona would have to change the whole club structure for Messi to stay imo. Looks completely demotivated to me. Best for both parties if he leaves.

I think when he's rested, then you see where Griezmann is more suited to play - basically same position as Leo which begs the question, both sporting & economic why Bartomeu insisted on his purchase. It never made any sense despite how good a player he is

 

[rylojr]

For their taking Lineker from us and their unforgivable surrender in the Champions league semi-final when they were terrified of a load of knobheads from Surrey waving i-pads at them - This is some kind of mild refund.

 

[YoboCopter]

The only thing hes useful for is being served at toby carvery

the fat gammon ed

 

[Tubey]

90% of this forum would be better at football management than him.

Just because you played football at a high level doesn't mean you'll be a good manager. Barcelona don't get that, and will probably repeat the mistake with Xavi.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I think they would have binned him off if it wasn't for the fans kicking off. I always thought Messi was the sound one and Ronaldo the biff but Messi seems like an arrogant little wet-wipe.

I think arrogance is probably a default setting for any player in that bracket

 

[SpongeBob brown shoes]

90% of this forum would be better at football management than him.

Just because you played football at a high level doesn't mean you'll be a good manager. Barcelona don't get that, and will probably repeat the mistake with Xavi.

The crazy thing is you just know that he'll still land a top job after Barca, just waiting for Roberto to get a top job in club management again before people remember 'oh yeah, he wasn't that good at it'

 

[PaddyJames]

I think arrogance is probably a default setting for any player in that bracket

Yeah true. No grace.

 

[gonetomorrow]

At least Big Sam will ensure they stay up.

 

[PaulPowersTash]

It's a false narrative this talk of proving himself outside of Spain

He is also, not just about the money - Barcelona is home for him, the fact that he rebuffed City advances previously when they could offer him a blank check speaks to that. He trusted Bartomeu and Barto lied - local Nunista media now hound the player, I'd be fed up if I were him as well. But, his family is well integrated in the city and he has spent the majority of his life there

If Laporta wins and can seduce the player with his project, then yes he stays and I'd be happy with that but if not then I would absolutely advocate him walking away in June to the Etihad to rejoin Pep

I think we will agree to disagree about proving himself outside of Spain.

 

[Zatara]

I think we will agree to disagree about proving himself outside of Spain.

Hes no Ronaldo

 

[Black Belt Jones]

I work with a Catalan guy, rarely talk football with him, but mentioned the Ron atrocity the other day. He just said yeah, but he scored the winning goal that won us our first European cup against Sampdoria in 1992.

I hadn't clocked his stature there. Like I knew he was a good player but hadn't appreciated just what reverence they have for him. Bit like if Alan Ball had managed us - he was a pretty bad manager IIRC (pls confirm @PaulPowersTash) but there would have been infinite patience with him.

 

[PaddyJames]

I work with a Catalan guy, rarely talk football with him, but mentioned the Ron atrocity the other day. He just said yeah, but he scored the winning goal that won us our first European cup against Sampdoria in 1992.

I hadn't clocked his stature there. Like I knew he was a good player but hadn't appreciated just what reverence they have for him. Bit like if Alan Ball had managed us - he was a pretty bad manager IIRC (pls confirm @PaulPowersTash) but there would have been infinite patience with him.

Yeah imagine them turning on Xavi. I do think there's a vacuum of top managers around these days and it probably will end up being an ex-player. The way they're run you wouldn't be surprised to see Cocu end up there despite taking Derby to the bottom of the championship. Crazy world we live in.

 

[FCBarça]

90% of this forum would be better at football management than him.

Just because you played football at a high level doesn't mean you'll be a good manager. Barcelona don't get that, and will probably repeat the mistake with Xavi.