Is the Barcelona Management Position a Poisoned Chalice?
07 September 2020
Barcelona are regarded as one of the leading football clubs in Europe. When the managerial position becomes vacant, it should be one that attracts the biggest names in world football. However, following the recent sacking of Quique Setién, is the Barcelona management position now a poisoned chalice?
Going back to early April and the current climate at the Camp Nou was summed up after six board members resigned. Two of the people to leave were vice-presidents plus the potential successor to current president, Josep Maria Bartomeu. As a parting shot, they left a letter stating their inability to change the way the club is being managed. They also called for presidential elections.
The resignation of some of the board members would not have come as a shock to Bartomeu as he had actively encouraged them to resign. However, seeing Jordi Calsamiglia and Maria Teixidor leave was unexpected. The president is not required to call for elections until 2021 and a date of March 15th has been set. Bartomeu’s relationship with the players has also become strained in recent months and the handling of the pay cuts imposed on the players is partly to blame.
Reports have also surfaced regarding the use of I3 Ventures. It is claimed the company was used to set up online accounts that allegedly wrote stories, not only defending the president but damaging the image of some current and former players.
So, there are clearly plenty of problems behind the scenes at Barcelona but there are also issues on the pitch. The 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter final was an embarrassment for the club. It appeared as though some of the players stopped trying in the second half and even the great Lionel Messi could not drag his team out of their slumber.
Current Netherlands manager, Ronald Koeman, could be the man who is about to step into the managerial hotseat at the Camp Nou. The Dutchman may only be handed a one year contract but his first task could be trying to persuade Messi to remain at Barcelona. The bookies are already offering odds for the next potential destination for Messi, with Manchester City and a reunion with Pep Guardiola being a strong possibility. For those interested in betting on the next club for Messi, you can find the best new betting sites in the UK listed at Betting Lounge. The list is constantly updated with the leading online bookmakers available in the United Kingdom plus all of the latest betting promotions.
You would certainly need to be a gambling man to take the Barcelona managerial position right now. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the club, with boardroom unrest plus several players who could be about to leave the Camp Nou. It is not a job for the fainthearted as Barcelona could be about to enter one of the lowest points in their recent history.