With the wild way the soccer season has unfolded so far, some coaches have already gotten the axe, while others could well be doomed to the same fate.
Over the weekend, Manchester City head man Mark Hughes coached his last match for the blue side of Manchester in a 4-3 win over Sunderland. After a hot start to the season, Man City has fallen off the pace over the last two months. They currently reside in 6th place, 12 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Replacing Hughes will be Italian Roberto Mancini who said, “My target this season is to arrive in the top four. Then next season we will go for the Premier League. That is my target and I think it is possible. ”
While change was made over the weekend in Manchester, speculation continues to build over the situation at Liverpool. Yet again the Reds suffered another shocking and crushing defeat, this time to Premier League bottom feeders Portsmouth. Adding insult to injury, midfielder Javier Mascherano who was sent off in the game was cofirmed to be out up to three weeks with a knee injury. The pressure continues to build on Liverpool manager Rafael Benetiz as Liverpool have already crashed out of this year’s Champions League and have now sunk to eighth in the Premier League, 14 points off leaders Chelsea.
In a bit more shocking coaching news, reports out of Spain are suggesting rookie manager Pep Guardiola of Barcelona may be stepping aside at the completion of the season. The 38-year old has yet to extend his contract, despite having the most successful season in Barcelona history hauling in six major trophies. Sources report that Guardiola is exhausted and is also awaiting the results of next year’s presidential election at the club. Maybe the most telling sign of the weight on Guardiola’s shoulders was his outpouring of emotion as he broke down in tears following Barcelona’s comeback win against Estudiantes in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Wow..all these great teams switching the gafer. Sometimes it is just time for change. In the case of Manchester City, Mark Hughs had brought in players that he envisioned would fit into his team. Why give Hughs all this Arab money and let him bring in all these world class players if your going to give him the axe. Now a new coach, Italian Roberto Mancini must take the players and form them into his team and add others that put his "kick" into the team. I'm excited to see what is to come of City. Liverpool and Rafa Benitez need to part ways in my mind, the players have not been playing for him as of late. When you lose to the last place team in the Premiership 2 times in one season that is usually a good indication that thing are not so well at the mercyside. I'd love to see a new face take over and bring in some quality player that are premiership proven and tested. Pep Guardiola has done an amazing job with Barcalona, it doesn't surprise me that he wants to be out of the coaching and into the office. I think that he would be great for the part, he knowledge of the game is up there with the best and his vision is second to none. He brought players into Barcalona that nobody knew from his youth teams and built an amazing team that looks to be dominate for years to come. I imagine that the club will try and sign him as a coach, but if and when he declines there are gonna be a lot of ancy coaches begging for the job of argueibly the best team in the world. Look forward to the future.
This is typical of European clubs. They all want instant success but none of them realize that there can only be one winner per trophy. Even when manager's do well like Claudio Ranieri for Chelsea, they still get sacked. I always had the feeling that Man City would get rid of Hughes for a higher profile manager. They are the richest club in the world and they want a known name in charge. I think Mancini can help them improve but I am not sold on them finishing in the top four. As for Liverpool and Rafa, I think times are tough but with a good run of results the mood will change. If they don't finish in top four I think Rafa will step down or be asked to leave. I just hope Torres stays