Louis Van Gaal

[J R R]

Adios van maal!! now gaspart should go too for what he has done to the club

[Atalla]

Van Gaal is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
oh happy, happy, happy day...................
look, how the world smiles at meeeeeeeeeeeee.
lol
ok, so it's crappy weather outside. and it's a miserable day........
but he's gone!
the bastard who ruined my team is gone.......
look...........
there are so many people linked with the barca job, it's becoming a bit pathetic. there are so many more potential disasters out there. Zacheroni wants in on barca. but this guy, i don't trust with a mop.

the way i see it, what's gonna happen.......... either rexach or the b - team manager will take over for the rest of the season......
then we will comtemplate who to sign as manager: our interests:

ronald Koeman: perfect addition, he's done wonders, and can save barca in this "crisis"

Carlos Bianchi: it's too late for us to sign this guy. he's already with boca, and i think he regrets not waiting, because he could've been at the helm of barca

Alfio Basile: My top pick, former Argentinian coach, wants a chance to manage a team as glorious as barca. good man, good tactician, but would take a bit of time to get the team back is shape.

(a pal once told me that it would take an army of coaches to undo the disaster that Van Gaal has done to our club)

we cannot forget Bernd Shcuster, and Luis Fernandez. i can see shuster, but no way can i envision a psychopath like fernandez at Barca.

well, whatever happens. good luck to us all..........
may Barca reclaim it's glory

[Olesen10]

Originally posted by barça

For those of you that through the boards have known my son, I got back to the house today and he was dressed fully in his barcelona gear, tooting his barcelona horn and flying around the flag, why? I asked and he said, no more Van Maal.

Amen:angel:
What's your son's name? We might see him in the "real" Barca jersey soon, eh? :D He's clever!
Finally we got rid of VG, but not the way we wanted IMO. It's gonna cost us a lot of money...

BTW, welcome to the WSB LuisEnrique21!

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by Juan
Have you won anything? Cause I won the Premiership with Blackburn last season :p


I won more than Van Gaal the last few years. :smoking:
I won the league with Vitesse a while back, started over and now am doing great. :cool:

I will recommend you too Barca. :D:D

[soccer fanatic]

I`m glad you are all happy, but don`t expect much from the next manager. The circumstances too work with are lousy. Press is very critical, which isn`t bad, but they aren egative too soon. When the new manager loses a few matches he will be in the same mess as LVG.

Also don`t expect Koeman this year or the next one, it won`t happen. 100% sure.
I do think Koeman is most suitable, he changed it around at Ajax who were in almost the same situation.

[funky6]

A new coach is always great for the team's mentality SF.Players try harder and there's a whole new spirit.Besides,from what we could see Van Gaal wasn't wanted in the team from the players.It's clear they wanted him out no matter what Overmars or others officially said.

Press is critical always,but Van Gaal was already in quarantine because of his last departure.He' wasn't a new person in Barcelona everyone knew himHe just showed he's the old b@st..whatever.Nothing changed.Arrogant,narrowminded,never take responsibillities,with PERSONAL problems with some players(JRR e.g.) etc.I think Barça will do better from now on till the end of the season.

As i've already said,i'm waiting for Ronald.For him,i got all the patience and faith he needs.

[J R R]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
I`m glad you are all happy, but don`t expect much from the next manager. The circumstances too work with are lousy. Press is very critical, which isn`t bad, but they aren egative too soon. When the new manager loses a few matches he will be in the same mess as LVG.


i agree, whoever takes over will have to work with the squad we have we have no money to spend, the moral of the players is low
and we still have an idiot for a president
it will take time, but i cant help feeling pleased vg is gone
although the person most responsible for the mess is still there
gaspart!

Adeu van gaal! gaspart must be next

[J R R]

Originally posted by Atalla

the way i see it, what's gonna happen.......... either rexach or the b - team manager will take over for the rest of the season......
then we will comtemplate who to sign as manager: our interests:

Carlos Bianchi: it's too late for us to sign this guy. he's already with boca, and i think he regrets not waiting, because he could've been at the helm of barca


just heard that rexach will take over for now

as for bianchi, barca had there chances they cant expect him to wait for them forever and now its too late he is staying at boca
he seems happy with that

[LuisEnrique21]

Thanks for the kind welcome messages.

I have to say that one of the reasons I started following Barcelona was Rivaldo.

Who can forget his overhead kick winner against Valencia (the game finished 4-3 I think) at the end of the 2000/1 season, to claim a Champions League spot? A wonderful moment.

I was never a Van Gaal fan ever since he forced Rivaldo out of the club. What I never understood is why he left Barcelona for free when he was still under contract?

[funky6]

I think Rivaldo and the Club had the option to renew his contract for one more year(+1).It's a big issue that Barça fans disagree about.I personally have not missed Rivaldo but it's my opinion.But you are right he was pure magic many times.

[Juan]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic


I won more than Van Gaal the last few years. :smoking:
I won the league with Vitesse a while back, started over and now am doing great. :cool:

I will recommend you too Barca. :D:D [/B]

Hey, if they hire you, can I be your Assistant Manager? I promise you the same treatment if they get me.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by J R R
i agree, whoever takes over will have to work with the squad we have we have no money to spend, the moral of the players is low
and we still have an idiot for a president
it will take time, but i cant help feeling pleased vg is gone
although the person most responsible for the mess is still there
gaspart!

Adeu van gaal! gaspart must be next

I agree with you too, it is good Van Gaal left, but don`t expect miracles.
I think it is good he left because of the results he got, I don`t think it is fair the way he is being treated by fans and media. He does love the club and wanted too succeed, he didn`t and he has too go. He did that acknowledging that he failed, he doesn`t deserve too be treated on this level by anyone. HE did briong the club succes once too. Treat him with the respect he deserves, not just as a manager who did win stuff with Barca (with in that period strong competition) but also because he is a human being.

I can understand the relief that some of you have with his departure, I have that too, but no need for these low comments.
He is a good guy who loves Barca and unlike Gaspart willing too go without too much trouble.

I can`t say what Van Gaal did wrong or right tactically, I don`t know how good Riquelme is, never saw him in training and don`t know if he connects with the Barca squad. I only know about him he takes a lousy penalty appearently.

Too funky6:
Real club players can also motivate themselves if they don`t like the trainer. Look at Puyol for example. He showed mentality.

Motivation isn`t something you do for the coach but for the fans and the club, if the now can work I blame the players for that. They should always work hard. If they refuse too work because they don`t like the coach they are not a hair better themselves. You can`t let your club down for that.

[relejado]

IMO, the departure of LVG brings us no shit...besides new spirit, which doesnt last very long. the problem is much deeper then just by the coaching staff.:(

[J R R]

actually when i saw pictures of vg at the press conference i felt
abit sorry for him
btw youre wrong about riquelmes penalties ask the boca fans
but ill admit the one he missed for barca was bad

[KrayZ]

i agree, the defence is still in shambles, it isn't like van gaal was playing there himself.....even this weekend we saw how easily opponents can take apart our defense, which was literally nowhere to be found on that first goal....i mean that was just pathetic

[relejado]

Originally posted by J R R
actually when i saw pictures of vg at the press conference i felt
abit sorry for him
btw youre wrong about riquelmes penalties ask the boca fans
but ill admit the one he missed for barca was bad

i feel sorry for him too, he didn't deserve such a departure. barca should have kept him until the end of the season, and then decide !

[soccer fanatic]

I heard he was pretty emotional on the press conference.

He really does love Barca.

Hopes he understand that appearently that isn`t mutual and that he comes back too Ajax too work with the youth, where he started his career.

[funky6]

I wanted to believe it too SF.I said he loves Barça,leaves in Barcelona for a couple of years,he's changed his minds but he didn't give it back to me(and most cules).Remember the faith and support even from these tabloids till Octomber.He never wanted Ronaldo back,first said it's ok with this squad then said he needs more players then the opposite again.He was playing Mendieta out of position,destroyed Riquelme's nerves,changing tactics all the time,leaving Saviola out for no reason.What an arrogance!It's obvious most players didn't want him and for Christ's sake Barça is 3 points above relegation zone.

He said"i've taken more titles than Barcelona ever did".Well no Barça have more than 55 trophys in football.He never seemed to respect the Club and the fans,he thought he was above all.

What a coach is that who accuses a player(JRR)he never liked for 4 months of misery?What a coach is that who has never even said"i MIGHT be wrong?"

About succeses,yeah good job for Ajax,then what?He took a scary Dutch side and lead them out of the World Cup!He had a squad that anybody would dream in his first period in Barça and took a cup and two championships.What did he do in Europe with Rivaldo,Figo,Luis Enrique,Guardiola,Sergi and others?Barça should have gone to a C.l final atleast.Sorry but football is a cruel world and i can't respect a man who led some youngsters to win the C.L 8 years ago and that's it.

Unfortunately not everyone in Barça is Puyol.He would play like maniac even with one leg so there's no comparison in that issue IMO.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by funky6
I wanted to believe it too SF.I said he loves Barça,leaves in Barcelona for a couple of years,he's changed his minds but he didn't give it back to me(and most cules).Remember the faith and support even from these tabloids till Octomber.He never wanted Ronaldo back,first said it's ok with this squad then said he needs more players then the opposite again.He was playing Mendieta out of position,destroyed Riquelme's nerves,changing tactics all the time,leaving Saviola out for no reason.What an arrogance!It's obvious most players didn't want him and for Christ's sake Barça is 3 points above relegation zone.


Making wrong decisions doesn`t mean he doesn`t love Barca.
Besides what is wrong? He works with these guys day in day out, I think he bases his team on what he sees, in his eyes the line ups he made for the matches were the best ones. Now you can say he failed, but can you say that if Riquelme played every match thinks would be so much better. I believe in the ability of Van Gaal and his fairness and wholeheartedly believe he handled too mind and heart. You might have took other and perhaps even better decisions but don`t mistake that with love for a club.

I saw some stuff from Barca against Celta de Vigo and it was horrible. They were awfull as never seen before, I don`t think you can blame that on Van Gaal, some of those players have too be evaluated and kicked out if it appears they aren`t good enough or aren`t motivated enough.

Louis van Gaal might have failed, I even agree on that, but he definetly didn`t do that alone. If people think the problems are solved now prepare for a huge shock, this goes way deeper than what we see. A lot of things have too change. Only that can happen if the squad is very strongly reorganised and the next player gets freedom too do that. No more doubtfull managing, time too show Barca means business. I`m surprised Van Gaal didn`t come too that decision, too really reorganise.
Ofcourse you can`t just dump players, but you can give more certainty too the entire squad. I have a feeling Barca worked against Van Gaal and didn`t givehim the freedom he deserved, I don`t even have the feeling getting Riquelme was Van Gaal`s decision.

Besides reorganising, something has too be done against the locall press. They really don`t help on the process of getting Barca back on track.


He said"i've taken more titles than Barcelona ever did".Well no Barça have more than 55 trophys in football.He never seemed to respect the Club and the fans,he thought he was above all.


He gets ultra defensive when attacked, everybody knows that. He does love Barca, believe me. But not the stuff which comes with it, especially the locall media.


What a coach is that who accuses a player(JRR)he never liked for 4 months of misery?What a coach is that who has never even said"i MIGHT be wrong?"


I typed a bit of an interview with LVG on this thread, he is incredibly confident, but as a trainer of Barca that isn`t something you can do without. If you want too succeed in that jungle you have too be icecold or loved by the media. Van Gaal isn`t and therefore has a big shield.
Koeman is the opposite, funny thing is he never hides he learned most from Van Gaal.


About succeses,yeah good job for Ajax,then what?He took a scary Dutch side and lead them out of the World Cup!


As a Dutchman I can honestly say Van Gaal isn`t the only one too blame, some players really showed no mentality.
Besides, it is no secret too anybody he isn`t a NT coach. I said it a million times before he got appointed, only not here, since I wsn`t here yet. He needs time too build. Under calm circumstances with if possible not that much negaitive feedback and if possible even positive feedback.


He had a squad that anybody would dream in his first period in Barça and took a cup and two championships.What did he do in Europe with Rivaldo,Figo,Luis Enrique,Guardiola,Sergi and others?Barça should have gone to a C.l final atleast.Sorry but football is a cruel world and i can't respect a man who led some youngsters to win the C.L 8 years ago and that's it.


What he accomplished wasn`t bad. There are a lot of topteams demanding from their manager a CL victory, only bad thing is only one can win it every year. Besides, he isn`t the only one failing too give Barca CL victory, that should tell you something. Between the Van Gaal eras things weren`t exactly dandy either at Barca.

Football is a cruel world and I`m not questioning if the sacking of Van Gaal is justified, because I think it is like everybody else. Also voted for him he was the wordt manager this year in that other thread.

He also did more than just lead youngsters at Ajax too the CL victory in '95. Nobody seems too realise he didn`t start in that year with a squad playing that well.


Unfortunately not everyone in Barça is Puyol.He would play like maniac even with one leg so there's no comparison in that issue IMO.

I think it is admirable he does but also think that a player who gets paid that much and plays for Barca have an obligation too work his ass off.

Think it is unfair that players stay out of trouble in this crisis. They are also the problem.

But like I said earlier, I agree with the sacking of Van Gaal, but thinks are more complcated than it looks. This isn`t a bad spell, this is a really bad crisis. Which also means just firing the coach won`t do it. But I know you know that.

[barça]

Again, just an amazing amount of great posts and again I wished they would be because of good times at the club, but they are not.

The problems at the club are much deeper than the coaching staff, they have to do with rotten management as well. JRR says that now Gaspart should go, well, he should go. He should be embarrased of what he has failed to do. I read today, that he won't resign, he said "A president never abandons in difficult times" Well, I would respond to him, that if the difficult times were caused by him, then a president should resign.

For Soccer fanatic and his thoughts about LVG, I would say this. You can argue about his tactical and technical ability. His amazing quality to recoginize young talent. With Ajax, With Brcelona etc. But, my stand is this: He is not the right person to rally behind, he asked for support, but was stubborn as could be, allienating poepl, players, club personnel, etc. He fought with everyone in the press, he yelled at fans that watched practices etc. Nothing wrong with being that way, if you are winning. Coaching is humbling and he was never humbled by it.

Barcelona, more than ever, needs someone that can bring the team, the city, and the club together. LVG was not that person.

By the way, I don't think Carles Rexach is either.

Now in the famous words of Pep Guardiola, we are behind the coach to the death, until he gest fired:)

[relejado]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic


Making wrong decisions doesn`t mean he doesn`t love Barca.
Besides what is wrong? He works with these guys day in day out, I think he bases his team on what he sees, in his eyes the line ups he made for the matches were the best ones. Now you can say he failed, but can you say that if Riquelme played every match thinks would be so much better. I believe in the ability of Van Gaal and his fairness and wholeheartedly believe he handled too mind and heart. You might have took other and perhaps even better decisions but don`t mistake that with love for a club.

I saw some stuff from Barca against Celta de Vigo and it was horrible. They were awfull as never seen before, I don`t think you can blame that on Van Gaal, some of those players have too be evaluated and kicked out if it appears they aren`t good enough or aren`t motivated enough.

Louis van Gaal might have failed, I even agree on that, but he definetly didn`t do that alone. If people think the problems are solved now prepare for a huge shock, this goes way deeper than what we see. A lot of things have too change. Only that can happen if the squad is very strongly reorganised and the next player gets freedom too do that. No more doubtfull managing, time too show Barca means business. I`m surprised Van Gaal didn`t come too that decision, too really reorganise.
Ofcourse you can`t just dump players, but you can give more certainty too the entire squad. I have a feeling Barca worked against Van Gaal and didn`t givehim the freedom he deserved, I don`t even have the feeling getting Riquelme was Van Gaal`s decision.

Besides reorganising, something has too be done against the locall press. They really don`t help on the process of getting Barca back on track.

[/B]

absolutly agreed, only to add that LVG's talent to bring some great talents into 1st team and encourage them to play at their best. (xavi,gabri,iniesta,puyol,navarro etc.)

[barça]

Originally posted by Olesen10
[B]What's your son's name? We might see him in the "real" Barca jersey soon, eh? :D He's clever!
B]

Here is a picture of the family at a Barcelona game this past year.

Son's name is Ryan, daugther's name is Kaitlin

[barça]

And another celabrating a win eating ice cream in Passeig de Gracia

[relejado]

it's a great gesture of you to show us your family ! hope you can go celebrate some more wins in the future!;)

[funky6]

Great pics!

Man i'm so jealous of your son's Barça merchandising:o
Playing football for fun in Barça's colours simply rules.It's better than stupid nadrolone:D

That flag rules too..

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by barça

For Soccer fanatic and his thoughts about LVG, I would say this. You can argue about his tactical and technical ability. His amazing quality to recoginize young talent. With Ajax, With Brcelona etc. But, my stand is this: He is not the right person to rally behind, he asked for support, but was stubborn as could be, allienating poepl, players, club personnel, etc. He fought with everyone in the press, he yelled at fans that watched practices etc. Nothing wrong with being that way, if you are winning. Coaching is humbling and he was never humbled by it.


I don`t argue with the part that he is fired. I agree also he isn`t the right person, results sucked. But there are ways too explain his behaviour.
Perhaps he would have been calmer if he got some positive feedback from supporters or media too. He was under very, very high pressure from day one, more than for example Koeman will ever receive.


Barcelona, more than ever, needs someone that can bring the team, the city, and the club together. LVG was not that person.


He can`t do that alone. He is always attacked by press, partly because he asks for it with his attitude, partly because the press knows that insulting Van Gaal means a lot of copies will be sold. Check the Van Gaal interview, he is aware of that too.

[barça]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic

He can`t do that alone. He is always attacked by press, partly because he asks for it with his attitude, partly because the press knows that insulting Van Gaal means a lot of copies will be sold. Check the Van Gaal interview, he is aware of that too. [/B]

Agreed on the issue of the media. The press knows that his buttons are too easy to push and they love it when he gets pissed off.

[rshepherd1000]

i think rexach is to confirm tomorrow that he will take the job for 6 months - as i said last night, i think carles is the right choice. long term no, short term yes.

he knows the players, he loves the club, he gets on well with the media (well, better than van gaal anyway - i hear all the barca media was so pleased to be able to speak catalan to the coach) and the fans will get behind him

i also think finally everybody, including the press (who can be the biggest pain in the ass) accepts barca need a transitional period to sort out the structure at the club. rexach is ideal for the six months till season ends because everyone knows what they will get from him, unlike if say antic was given the role, and if we are aware it is for 6months only then everyone will get behind charly and the players and not be too critical.

this takes the pressure off the performance on the pitch and transfers it to the boardroom where the real problems lie - thus creating the right environment for the much needed change.

of course results still matter and a european place of some form must be obtained for next season. with that achieved, charly can step aside for the heavyweight replacement

for now lets get behind the players and the new coach and hope we can do well for the rest of the year

[Juan]

Too bad. We already had the replacements with the managing tandem of SF and myself :p

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by Juan
Too bad. We already had the replacements with the managing tandem of SF and myself :p

When we play Real Madrid I will have too put you on non active.
You don`t mind that, do you?

[Juan]

OK. So I will take charge when we play Ajax then.

[soccer fanatic]

Yes, I think that would be wise. :)

[KrayZ]

charlie rexach is an idiot at coaching....no offence, and i don't know him personally, he might be a very nice man, but that's just how i feel about him.....he's like the george bush of spanish football.....
and i hope he doesn't use anti-van gaal tactics....like putting everybody from the bench into the starting 11 and guys like overmars on the bench.....i remember he benched overmars quite a lot last season

[barça]

Originally posted by KrayZ
he's like the george bush of spanish football.....

Funniest line I have heard in a while :silly:

Originally posted by KrayZ
i remember he benched overmars quite a lot last season

I don't think he did not bench Overmars quite a lot, if I recall correctly, Overmars was hurt for most of the year and verytime he went and played a full game, he came out hurt. Overmars, when fit, found his way into the line up.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by relejado
i feel sorry for him too, he didn't deserve such a departure. barca should have kept him until the end of the season, and then decide !

Originally posted by J R R
actually when i saw pictures of vg at the press conference i felt
abit sorry for him


I too feel sorry for him. He was right to step down and leave. He left the club in a very honourable and amicable fashion. He could have held them to ransom for the entire amount they owed him. He also could have gone on a tirade towards the press, but did not. Instead, he just spoke fondly about the club he loves. I for one will never forget the positive contributions that LVG made for Barca. Here are his comments from the press conference and the club's official webite:

"After reflecting on the recent performances of the club and speaking with president Joan Gaspart we have decided that it is in the best interests of the club that we go our separate ways,"

"At this time the atmosphere surrounding the club is having more effect on the team than I am, and for that reason I have changed my mind and decided to leave because I don't want to damage Barcelona."

"I spoke with the president on the way back from Vigo and I was convinced that I was the only trainer who could turn the situation around.

"I had the players' confidence, you could see the way they fought to the end at Celta Vigo. I just didn't see any sense in resigning.

"But later in the evening, after evaluating the performance I changed my mind. I spoke with the chief director (Xavier Perez Farguell) and we decided it would be best for both parties if we separated.

"I took this decision because Barcelona is bigger than any one person. I think it is best that I leave."

"I'm leaving without any bad feelings. I've always thought that I was the best manager to help the club out of this situation. I spoke to the players and the president after the last game though, and we decided that our paths would have to part."

Louis van Gaal declared himself: "the person most responsible for the situation of the team. Over the last few months, the players have given me their trust and have fought really hard in difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, all the pressure surrounding the club and in the media has meant that the players haven't been able to fully show what they can do. That's done us harm and has had a greater influence than I've had myself. That's why I decided to change my mind and leave."

"the club is more important than any individual and I never wanted to damage this institution. I'm disappointed not to have done what I'd hoped to, especially for the fans and all those people who have given me their trust. I did my best to get the best out of myself and the players and I'm leaving both saddened and disappointed. I feel like this club is my home, and I'll be back plenty of times to support them as a fan."

Finally, Van Gaal asked the media to get behind the new manager, whoever he is: "if the new man doesnt have that support, he'll have the same problems as I did. Please give him your support."

[barça]

Thanks for posting his statements, I was actually translating some of them.

Is interesting that he says tat the club is bigger than any one person, I always felt about him that he wanted to bigger than anything else, players, media, club etc.

I wish him well, but is hard to see him coaching somewhere of importance soon, after this and Holland failures.

[BLAUGRANA]

Geovanni reportedly has welcomed LVG's departure. This from soccerage:

"I did not have many opportunities to play under Van Gaal," he explained. "But God has given me another opportunity.

"I am very pleased with the way things have gone and I am thoroughly enjoying my time here at Benfica.

"In Barcelona I also liked it, but I was not playing. A footballer always has to play.

"But Van Gaal has gone now and maybe this is another chance for me. I do not keep any grudges though."
SA Europe


Well Geo, heres something for you. You're not wanted at Barca. Do well at Benfica so we can sell you.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça

I wish him well, but is hard to see him coaching somewhere of importance soon, after this and Holland failures.

I think he'll take some time off, 'til the summer anyway. I think the Premiership or the Eredivisie would be the two most likely options. I could see a return to Ajax in the near future should Koeman leave. Then again, Danny Blind could very well be Koeman's successor. Who knows?

[Atalla]

some coaches just go senile after a certain age... and cannot keep up with the game. van gaal has had his accomplishments. he has done his best for barca. but his reappointment was a mistake. in light of everything, he was stubborn, just like some of you guys said. he is demanding, arrogant, and the only opinion that matters to him is his. rivaldo's loss has been a misforturne.

hopefully, a good new coach will take the reigns. unfortunately, he will have no time whatsoever to purchase the players needed to boost the squad. van gaal has gotten rid of players that we could use. geovanni, alfonso, sergi, and abelardo.

i don't mind rexach, at least he permits the important players to play.... but we don't have a crisis on our hands. van gaal favoured an all out attacking barca that kept possesion at all times. unfortunately, we have the weakest defence in barca's history and our goalkeepers are crap. we yet have to see enke play, who in my opinion is a good goalkeeper.

it's too late to get back in the season, and i doubt we can get a european qualification this season. let's hope we win the champion's leauge. lol

we need it now more than ever.
oh, and I HATE Sociedad, but they are playing great. hope they loose soon...... that way we may get a chance.........

glory to barca

[soccer fanatic]

In an interview on Dutch TV he said he was very disappointed and apologized too all Barca fans. He never expected this too happen and admitted that when he joined Barca for the 2nd time it was more a decision made with his heart than with his head.
He also stated he feels like a socio of Barca and loves the club deeply. He made a very hurt impression.

[funky6]

Good luck to him

[barça]

So, Azul, do we start a new thread called Carles Rexach?

[Olesen10]

Or just rename this maybe?

[Juan]

Just name this thread "Barça´s Manager". Or you want to change the name again 6 months from now?

[barça]

Originally posted by Juan
Just name this thread "Barça´s Manager". Or you want to change the name again 6 months from now?

Ouch:(

[soccer fanatic]

:D:D:D

Sad thing is it could definetly become reality. :(

[Olesen10]

Just read that Rexach has turned down the offer of being a Barca coach...:( He says that before he even considered coaching, the newspapers, especially Diario Sport, were criticising him.

What now? :confused:

[funky6]

Is it true?

I checked the Sport's website an hour ago and there were articles talking about new errors etc.Don't know Spanish but the feedback was really negative from what i'd seen.

He was fighting with Sport last year too,especially with the Editor Casanovas.

We'll see..

[lili]

Originally posted by Olesen10
Just read that Rexach has turned down the offer of being a Barca coach...:( He says that before he even considered coaching, the newspapers, especially Diario Sport, were criticising him.

What now? :confused:


Burn the papers!:smoking: :evil: ;)

[Olesen10]

Is it true?
I think so. Apperantly he's mad about some of the papers is criticising him before he even has said yes to the job. But maybe he's willing to give it another shot...

[barça]

I am listening to the radio right now and it appears that is true, Carles Rexach has turned down the job.

I am going start crying. WTF is happening to our club? Gaspart, please resign

[Olesen10]

Well now it's either Antic or Menotti...IF Rexach is turning the offer down...

[soccer fanatic]

I heard Rijkaard is also one of the candidates.

He does have relegation football experience. :D

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
So, Azul, do we start a new thread called Carles Rexach?

We'll start a new thread when a new manager is named. Until then, we'll use this one. K?

[Atalla]

just heard news that barca may be in talks with Argentinian coach Menoti.
he coached barca 20 years ago.......
he says he wants a long term contract, and not a short term quick fix......
also today barca will meet with lazio in an attempt to get Sorin freed of his contract.

isn't it great that real madrid were HUMILIATED by mallorca 4-0?
bye bye Copa Del Rey!!!!!!!!!

[Juan]

What I´ve read (at Marca, so take it with a grain of salt) is that Antic is about to take over. Another option they mentioned is Camacho. I think the former NT coach is a good option for your lot, but should be strange at least to see a Madridista coaching Barça.

And...

Originally posted by Atalla
isn't it great that real madrid were HUMILIATED by mallorca 4-0?
bye bye Copa Del Rey!!!!!!!!!

At least a Primera team took us out, and not some Segunda B fodder...

(sorry for the cheap shot there)

[barça]

Originally posted by Juan

At least a Primera team took us out, and not some Segunda B fodder...

(sorry for the cheap shot there)

Hey there, take it easy. Some of us have our Noveldas and some have their Toledos;)

[Olesen10]

Cesar Luis Menotti is now in Barcelona to do a job interview with Gaspart. Seems like he's getting the job...

[Mackem Roligan]

I heard a rumour it is going to be Michael Laudrup I doubt it though because he doesnt have the expirience but would you like him as manager one day.

[soccer fanatic]

I´m a big admirer of Laudrup as a player but as a manager it is now too soon for him and difficult too say if he once could be an option, he will first have too proff his worth.

As a player he sort of showed he could be a great coach.

[Olesen10]

Actually he's coaching the danish club Brondby right now. And before that, at the WC, he coached the Danish team together with Morten Olsen.

[ItalianBoy]

I like some of you to explain to me the logic of Barcelona, as in Van Gaal sucked already and everyone hate it him already.
Why get him again?
As you can see he sucks!!!

[Mackem Roligan]

Laudrup did a good job as assistant to Olsen with Denmark but hasnt proved himself with Brondby yet.

[relejado]

Originally posted by ItalianBoy
I like some of you to explain to me the logic of Barcelona, as in Van Gaal sucked already and everyone hate it him already.
Why get him again?
As you can see he sucks!!!

1. because van gaal is not as bad as it seems and 2. because gaspart is not able to run this club.

nice to debate with you in a non-political forum ;)

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by ItalianBoy
I like some of you to explain to me the logic of Barcelona, as in Van Gaal sucked already and everyone hate it him already.
Why get him again?
As you can see he sucks!!!

Because he brought succes the first time and he was in Barca`s eyes the best available too them.

Besides I don`t hate him.
So please scrap "everybody".

[rshepherd1000]

do not let michael laudrup anywhere near our club with his management style - id rather van gaal then him

[Mackem Roligan]

I havent seen any Brondby games since Laudrup took charge but I think he likes all out attack a bit naive but exiting.I suppose theres alot of Barca fans who will never forgive him for joining Real though.

[rshepherd1000]

yeah exactly, laudrup probably thinks barca have a really solid defence considering the way brondby play

also, sacking half the first team squad a few days after he took over (informing them through the media) is not a good way to start - he quickly made enemies with a lot of people connected with the club. i think barca have experienced enough of that kind of management to last a lifetime

[relejado]

Originally posted by Mackem Roligan
.I suppose theres alot of Barca fans who will never forgive him for joining Real though.

exactly, that's one of the reasons, why schuster is not coach at barca. his departure at barca wasn't that good.

[soccer fanatic]

Dutch TV told us today Antic (old Atletico manager) would be new coach, is that already certain?

[J R R]

in sport and MD it says Antic is the new manager
he has reached an agreement with gaspart in madrid there are
afew things more to be discussed but its 99% agreed

it also says the only signing will be sorin

[BLAUGRANA]

I've heard it will be Antic as well, but that JG wants to interview Menotti before making his final decision. To be honest, neither candidate really gets me too excited.

Also, I found this editorial from soccerage. It's pretty interesting. I don't know how credible it is as it's coming from SA, but it sounds reasonable enough to me. I wonder if the person who wrote it is aware of Barca's 30 step action plan to bring the club up to date. Here it is:


SA Editorial: Van Gaal Is Not To Blame

01/31/2003. Louis Van Gaal has been made the scapegoat for the ever-increasing problems behind the scenes at Futbol Club Barcelona.

The fans and the media have concentrated their efforts on ousting incumbent president, Joan Gaspart, from his position in the knowledge that the Dutch coach was doing what he could under the circumstances.

Some of the team's displays have been woeful this term and under normal circumstances the coach would accept the blame as calls for his head would be genuine.

But the real problem at the Catalan club is in the corridors at Camp Nou where things have gone from bad to worse.

Barca has too many people in positions of power all pulling in different directions and making different decisions on a daily basis.

Gaspart took over a club in turmoil and has allowed his heart to rule his head when listening to those around him.

At present the club has 20 permanent members of the board with six other honorary members all being helpful.

But more surprisingly, perhaps, the fact that the club has 32 members on something labelled the Advisory Board.

What this body does is a mystery, although, it is not as much a shock though, as Barcelona's history shows.

The club has completely failed to modernise itself and is still run on the premise that it is one big happy family and that as long everyone sticks together.

In years gone by, the idea that the football club represented the Catalan's fight against oppression and therefore all hands on deck was an admirable one.

But in the new era of football, where the biggest clubs have to be run like any big business, Barca is sadly years behind.

Until Barcelona realises that there are far too many cooks spoiling the broth things will not change.

It is also unfair to completely blame Gaspart for failing to make any serious changes.

He is primarily a supporter who has landed his dream job, but like so many club owners and presidents in the past, he is doing what he thinks the fans want and not necessarily what should be done.

Instead of making sweeping changes and cutting the board and the advisory committee down to size, he allows everyone to have their say and it only creates chaos.

This will not be news to the people of Catalunya, but the fact that the team could break numerous underachievement records this season laid the problems bare for the whole world to see.

The constant off-the-field problems has finally affected that matter most to the paying public, the players.

With the squad disrupted by the internal disputes, their football has suffered and now those same people that caused the problems are now looking for people to blame.

The first and easiest target was the coach. He failed to keep the troubles away from the players and the club took the least painful route by sacking him.

Van Gaal knows what has happened is not all his fault, but the large comensation package will do little to ease the pain.

Until the directors begin to look at themselves, things will continue to worsen at Camp Nou.

But it will be a long time before anyone accepts that at Barcelona.
SA Europe


http://www.soccerage.com/en/00/58593.jpg
The Scapegoat.

[Atalla]

it's official, Antic will be our new coach for the next six months.

he has an option to sign for an extra few years according to his performance this season. The Barca website has confirmed this

this really does not make my mouth water either........ but we have to give the guy a chance...... we can't afford to have a new coach enter without any support, or it could be disastrous.....

oh......... and Sorin is now officially a Barca player..........
well, at least we got someone...... although we also should've gotten a striker..... as i write this, i think the transfer window has closed.

congratulations on a new sigining and a new coach.......

[Juan]

Well, if you follow my posts you´ll see that I liked Sorin for Barça for some time now.

About the coach, I have a bad feeling about this. This could end up being a historic season for Barça for all the wrong reasons. Like missing out on Euro competitions, for example (unless you win the CL).

[Atalla]

i think that that writing posted by soccerage is totally insane.

Van Gaal's reign was a disaster. the club is in a bit of a low, but that doesn't mean that he is guilt free. he refused to play requilme, and our boys refused to play for him. who puts rochemback instead of requilme? why was mendietta played as a right back half the time as opposed to an attacking midfielder. i was happy to watch him play in the pre-season because i thought he and Saviola were hooking up nicely on the right.

why were geovanni, christanval, dani and enke( whom he wanted so badly) benched?

van gaal terorized his players. and the only players who mourned his loss were his fellow countrymen. all our other players expressed joy at his dismissal. christanval just came out with a statement that: "now that van gaal is gone, i will do my best to stay at the club" and geovanni could not contain his joy at the release of our former coach.

Van gaal ruled with an iron fist. he showed no confidence in a squad that needs to hear that they are capable. he terrorized our up and coming talent. sure, he promoted Iniesta, and maybe in five years time we will be writing songs about him for doing that. but is it really iniesta whom we need? we have requilme, for god's sake!!!!!!!

i dunno. maybe i just hate the guy because i'm upset at rivaldo's loss. maybe it's because he refused to play the hottest property in all of europe. maybe it's because he relied on a formation that emphasized our weaknesses instead of our strenghts.... 3-4-3? with a keeper crisis and an incompetent defence? maybe it's because he ruined our chances of sigining several players to boost the club in this transfer window... he left us four days before it closed. maybe it's because i saw my favorite team humiliated by a shock exit at the first round of the Copa del Rey. of maybe because we are three points above the relegation zone when we have a squad capable of capturing the title.

these are not administrative problems. these are the result of several bad decisions, lack of commitment on the pitch, from players who felt that this man held them back instead of support them, and the sale of a player who was a superstar and a leader. namely: Rivaldo. he was the only superstar this club has had in a long time.

did you guys notice that Louis Van Gaal is single handedly responsible for the dismanteling the team that cruyff spent almost a decade constructing? when Sergi and Abelardo were sold before the season began, no players from Cruyff's era remained. (why was Sergi sold anyway?)

[Juan]

Originally posted by Atalla
i think that that writing posted by soccerage is totally insane.

Van Gaal's reign was a disaster. the club is in a bit of a low, but that doesn't mean that he is guilt free. he refused to play requilme, and our boys refused to play for him. who puts rochemback instead of requilme? why was mendietta played as a right back half the time as opposed to an attacking midfielder. i was happy to watch him play in the pre-season because i thought he and Saviola were hooking up nicely on the right.

He must have had his reasons. He didn´t like Rivo too much either, but he played him. Still, I think that was a big mistake on his behalf.

why were geovanni, christanval, dani and enke( whom he wanted so badly) benched?

Because their crap.

van gaal terorized his players. and the only players who mourned his loss were his fellow countrymen. all our other players expressed joy at his dismissal. christanval just came out with a statement that: "now that van gaal is gone, i will do my best to stay at the club" and geovanni could not contain his joy at the release of our former coach.

The "Van Gaal generation" (Xavi, Puyol, etc...) had been quite supportive of the man that brought them up (although that reminds people of the famous Guardiola saying, I think you know it). About Chiristanval and Geovanni, I said my thoughts before.

Van gaal ruled with an iron fist. he showed no confidence in a squad that needs to hear that they are capable. he terrorized our up and coming talent. sure, he promoted Iniesta, and maybe in five years time we will be writing songs about him for doing that. but is it really iniesta whom we need? we have requilme, for god's sake!!!!!!!

And I´m sure you prefer the whorehouse the team became during the Serra Ferrer days. Of course, the best is a middle point. And I don´t think that Iniesta and Romy can´t play together.

i dunno. maybe i just hate the guy because i'm upset at rivaldo's loss. maybe it's because he refused to play the hottest property in all of europe. maybe it's because he relied on a formation that emphasized our weaknesses instead of our strenghts.... 3-4-3? with a keeper crisis and an incompetent defence? maybe it's because he ruined our chances of sigining several players to boost the club in this transfer window... he left us four days before it closed. maybe it's because i saw my favorite team humiliated by a shock exit at the first round of the Copa del Rey. of maybe because we are three points above the relegation zone when we have a squad capable of capturing the title.

VG didn´t ruin the chances of new signings. Perez Farguell and the other people who spent fortunes in the aforementioned crap did. Had they used the resources well, they would be capable of Madrid-esque signings.

these are not administrative problems. these are the result of several bad decisions, lack of commitment on the pitch, from players who felt that this man held them back instead of support them, and the sale of a player who was a superstar and a leader. namely: Rivaldo. he was the only superstar this club has had in a long time.

Not administrative problems? Do you not know of the whole mess of stuff going on off the pitch? This affects the players too, you know.

did you guys notice that Louis Van Gaal is single handedly responsible for the dismanteling the team that cruyff spent almost a decade constructing? when Sergi and Abelardo were sold before the season began, no players from Cruyff's era remained. (why was Sergi sold anyway?)

Well, the guy is bringing in some hot talent from the youth team, even more than Cruyff did in his time. Do you want Ferrer still be covering your right flank, and Puyol rotting in the B team or playing somewhere else (maybe Madrid :eek: )

[Atalla]

hey Azul, i know i promised you an article and i still haven't delivered................
lol....... i am sorry. i will work on it as soon as possible, i still haven't found the magazine, i have so many economist issues, and it's somewhere in my pile, but i haven't found it yet. don't worry...... i am still looking....
sorry for the inconveniece.

[Atalla]

Originally posted by Juan
Well, the guy is bringing in some hot talent from the youth team, even more than Cruyff did in his time. Do you want Ferrer still be covering your right flank, and Puyol rotting in the B team or playing somewhere else (maybe Madrid :eek: )

i dunno about you. but i really really really don't think that geovanni and Christanval are crap. i don't think you saw the way he played against barca in the freindly match on wednsday?
if that was a crap performance, then i'd love to see you rate a good player....

and although promoting youth is always a good idea, it's really pathetic when Van Gaal used xavi as a playmaker. the guy's good, and i love him, but he's no beckham, he's not veron and he's not rui costa. he's defenitely no rivaldo.
and would you guys quit it with the "blaming previous coaches" crap? real Madrid has had their share of really bad coaches. i don't see how it's prevented them from siging "madrid-esque" signings. i think it's safe to say that based only on our champions league run this season, we can afford just about anyone. we have a ton of assets, and a large club with plenty of money.
you want to talk about ferrer and farguell? why don't you consider the unbelievable price put on Overmars' head? or how about half the dutch national team that Louis Van gaal brought?

the players are proffesionals, paid to do their job. nothing should affect them. i dunno about you Juan, but our good buddies in Lazio have proven that administrative problems and Cash worries have not stopped them from making a sensational season. no player cares about club matters. it's the wages they make that make them content.

and you don't think that being nicknamed Barca- Ajax proves how big of a whorehouse barca was under van gaal?
at least under ferrer we weren't renamed in honour of another club............

and it was van gaal who ruined the ability of the club to sign new players. he decided after losing to valencia that no new purchases would be made. and so we lost a week and a half.

[Atalla]

"one thing is obvious. Barcelona, who have glorious traditions and an incredible BUDGET, should not be recording such poor results."

Joan Gespart- one year ago

i don't think we have spent much of this "incredible budget" that he was talking about. we have the money fellows. we are cash stripped, yes..... but on trophy will immensely change that.
we are not poor. i repeat, barcelona is perfectly capable of purchasing anyone. but we are being cheap. so let's just relax. last season we spent 55 million pounds, and that quote was after we spent this money.

a little more optimisim would go a long way to help our team.

[relejado]

i don't think that this report in soccerage is that wrong. at barca there ARE some problems beside the coach, and i also don't rate cristanval that high, he's just to lazy in my eyes.

atalla, you wanna still play with the dream team players ?? come on ! changes have to be made, an because of barcas financial difficulties van gall wasn't able to get all the big stars, that's why he brought all the young talents. the best he could do !

it just takes some time for them to grow and adapt. but this time doesn't exist at barca...unfortunately. we want to see young talents, catalan players, exciting football and that immediatly...that's just not possible.

i think this report is closer by the truth than many cules think...

[Strike]

Now it's enough.We sacked VG and sign a JUGO.If this go so on
I will let go my love for barca.I wonder how much Jugos come next.

no no no no .......

[KrayZ]

i kind of disagree with that report....in the sense that whatever's happening behind the scenes shouldn't really affect players THAT much, i mean the players have been absolute crap this season so far...
i DO agree however that this isn't entirely van gaals fault, a lot of bad shit is going on at the club on and off the pitch.....

[FC Barca11]

Originally posted by Strike
Now it's enough.We sacked VG and sign a JUGO.If this go so on
I will let go my love for barca.I wonder how much Jugos come next.

no no no no .......

What the hell is a Jugo, an argentinian or a serb?

[Juan]

Originally posted by Atalla
you want to talk about ferrer and farguell? why don't you consider the unbelievable price put on Overmars' head? or how about half the dutch national team that Louis Van gaal brought?

And need I remind you that Kluivert, the most expensive of the ones brought by VG, costed 2000 million pesetas, that is half as much as... Sonny Anderson!

Barça is (or was) fully capable of "Madrid-esque" signings, or maybe solid, top class players a tier below, but has decided to spend the money on the Rochembacks, Geovannis and Christanvals of the world.

[ItalianBoy]

Excuse me.
First of all I am not a fan at all of LVG.
Also, at his first Barca season he was not bad. Still, the press, fans and team hated him badly.
After a while, he manged the Dutch NT? And did not Q to the WC?
And now back in barca, who is losing to A Madrid baby!
He is sucking bad again, the same peopel hate him.
Excuse me, IMO he sucks.

[Atalla]

i agree with you on the kluivert issue.,juan..
why on earth was sonny anderson released anyway?
that was stupid in my opinion................
the guy is seriously the BOMB!!!!!!!
heheheh

and relejado........ look, we do owe Van Gaal the honour of bringing dudes like Puyol and Xavi to the upper team. i think we are all greatful to him for that..... it has seriously been absolutely good. but if you think about it, Barca spent more in it's tenure under van gaal than it had done in the years the cruyff managed the club (ok maybe that is a bit of an exageration) but i think you get my clue. i mean overmars, kluivert, zenden, reizeger, cocu, Frank and ronald de Boer, all cost so much...... instead of these guys, or their prices at any rate, we could have gotten Ferdinand or woodgate, crespo, Veron, and many many others in those respective positions. for about the same prices. Barca could have been a world class team if it was not for Van Gaal's dream of inserting half the dutch team into our club.....
as i write this, barca have played their game against atletico madrid, and lost, humiliatingly. 3-0. the team did not even look hungry for a victory. well, antic will take over by the next match.... and he may just steer things around. the man IS capable of winning trophies, and he is the type who relies ultimately on one crafty midfield player, so we may see Requilme become that man.

i am completeley excited about Sorin joining Barca. the man is the argentinian equivalent of roberto carlos. he is a solid defender with unique runs on the left of the field. he can be deciscive in several games, and can cross well. he would be perfect in counter attacking situations, and he may well shore up our defence in a way that completely rests puyol, who has been playing as a center back and a right back half the time. sad. he may prove to be the man needed to add the bite in barca.

i am a barca fan through and through..... i will never desert the club, even if it is relegated. there are defenitely some problems in management, but i think we can bounce back. and even if we don't and relegation becomes certain, then it won't matter. this is my team, and i have blue and red blood go through my viens!!!!!!

FORZA BARCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by Atalla
i am a barca fan through and through..... i will never desert the club, even if it is relegated. and even if we don't and relegation becomes certain, then it won't matter.


Although I agree on this, just read it over and over again.... .... ....
Damn. :(

[Juan]

I have to agree somehow. Just don´t think of that.

[soccer fanatic]

I hope the players do think of it, that should make them want too work.
If it doesn`t, kick them out.

[lili]

People, what pesimistic crap is that? I'm not even a barca fan, but I would never think something like that.
Nobody really expected, Barca will win the first match after LVG leaves, but they will win again, I'm sure. ;)

[barça]

If you think that going to 2nd is impossible, then it becomes possible. The club needs to think that going there is possible and do all it can to change. I think that changin Van Maal is the start of those changes.

Now we need to recruit the God that punished Van Gaal, according the gospel by Ronaldo, to help us.

[Knex]

I'm certainly no Barcafan, but this team, with all that talent will never relegate. It's quite impossible. They have enough good players to end all things considered respectable.
Qualifying for next year's C'L shall be very difficult, and also European football shall be a challenge.
The only thing that matters now in the current C'L, where you're unbeaten for so far.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by Knex
I'm certainly no Barcafan, but this team, with all that talent will never relegate. It's quite impossible.

They are three points from degradation, I think that more than proofs it is possible.

It is insane it is possible, but it is possible. I don`t think it will happen, but it can`t hurt for the players too realise what their current situation is, might make them more wanna work for their living, even though it is a crime they need a stimulance in the first place.

Welcome BTW. :)

[Atalla]

well.. I was trying to make a point, and not raise a panick attack. there are still 54 points to be won. and it's a race against other teams. we can do it. 20 points are needed to equal sociedad, and then 34 to go to win the league. can it be done? with a lot of luck, and some great performances, yes. can we climb up the table, oh yes.

it all depends on how good the coach is. i mean, at lazio, for a great example, some faded players have been performing, and playing their hearts out. perhaps antic can do a similar feat. Sorin is an excellent addition, and will help us turn things around. i have a great feeling about this. and requilme? well he will be back, he will play, and he will stun us all with his incredible performances and great reading of the game.

i was having a conversation with a few freinds today, (who are not Barca fans) and things got fiery. they were so ademant that barca would loose to inter in the champions league game. and the believed we would be thrashed 4-0. if not 5-0. well. i said that we could loose, but not by such a margin. and we can triumph, we have a few aces up our sleeves.

antic seems to feel that his first role as barca manager is to raise the club spirits. hopefully, if he is any good, he will do just that. i think that the club needs more of a psychologist than a coach right now. i think a lot of you would agree. he seems to genuinely believe that the talent in barca is top class, and no other team even compares. well, with that kind of mentality, we will certainly see a boost of coinfidence in the squad.

barca can win, and barca will conquer. and if we don't end up having a european qualification, then we may as well win the champions leauge. nothing is impossible.

"when there is a will, there is a way" and barca players and coach alike have to look deep within themselves to discover the way.

[Atalla]

i was told you guys that cruyff and Stoichkov were the archest of enemies, and i finally found the article in a magazine (while i was searching for the economist Azul....... lol) here is what is says:

Hristo Stoichkov
nationality: Bulgarian
He may have been a man of volcanic temper, hyper-touchy and prone to bearing festering grudges, but the barca faithful loved him. they knew a man of passion when they saw one. his goals helped the club to four straight primera ligas and the european cup. not bad considering that most of the time he wasn't on speaking terms with the coach, Johan Cruyff.


hopes this clears a few things up... i also read somewhere else once, if i remember correctly, that stoichkov even had seperate training sessions from the team at some points in his career.

i'll report the article when i find it as well...........
cool, no????

[Atalla]

i forgot to add that the article is in a magazine called Total football, in the february 2000 issue, the article is called: Faith no more. and the report comes from a subsection called: "Barca's finest" the article ponders the question: did barca sell it's soul when it purchased half the dutch national team squad and discussed that on a good day, only two catalans were on the pitch, while the rest of the team was full of foriegners.

i will keep u posted on anything else..........

keep the faith.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by Atalla
well.. I was trying to make a point, and not raise a panick attack. there are still 54 points to be won. and it's a race against other teams. we can do it. 20 points are needed to equal sociedad, and then 34 to go to win the league. can it be done? with a lot of luck, and some great performances, yes. can we climb up the table, oh yes.


You didn`t raise a panick reaction with me, but you said what are the facts. We are 3 points away from relegation, I think and somewhere know we have nothing too worry about, but also realise that "being Barcelona" will not keep us in the Liga, we still need too win. Which we will, but for now we are near the relegation zone, so it isn`t weird too be a bit worried.

Cl qualification won`t happen I think ,lets just not look at the table concerning places above us but just start winning again and we will see where we will end up. :)

[lili]

Originally posted by Knex
I'm certainly no Barcafan, but this team, with all that talent will never relegate. It's quite impossible. They have enough good players to end all things considered respectable.
Qualifying for next year's C'L shall be very difficult, and also European football shall be a challenge.
The only thing that matters now in the current C'L, where you're unbeaten for so far.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[lili]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
They are three points from degradation, I think that more than proofs it is possible.

It is insane it is possible, but it is possible. I don`t think it will happen, but it can`t hurt for the players too realise what their current situation is, might make them more wanna work for their living, even though it is a crime they need a stimulance in the first place.

Welcome BTW. :)

There are still several matches to play, cards aren't dealed out yet. When they once come into their winning phase again, they will make up the lost points, for sure.:) ;)

[lili]

Originally posted by Atalla

[QUOTE]I was trying to make a point, and not raise a panick attack. there are still 54 points to be won. and it's a race against other teams. we can do it. 20 points are needed to equal sociedad, and then 34 to go to win the league. can it be done? with a lot of luck, and some great performances, yes. can we climb up the table, oh yes.

It's not realistic to think like that imo, not that I wouldn't wish you the joy. :rolleyes: :D :evil:
Try to say just, others won't sleep in the meantime, the fight will be as usual. Think, Barca is limited this year in their power, but they could come up to reach the UEFA cup. More would surprise me indeed. Unless they win the CL , which would increase your oportunity for next.
You might be surprised guys, but good luck!;)

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by lili
There are still several matches to play, cards aren't dealed out yet. When they once come into their winning phase again, they will make up the lost points, for sure.:) ;)

For now the are in this situation, so it won`t hurt too realise that. That they will climb ub eventually is very likely, but as long as they are still down there I think modesty is on his place.

I will say we go European if we make an impression that that is possible.

[Knex]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
They are three points from degradation, I think that more than proofs it is possible.

It is insane it is possible, but it is possible. I don`t think it will happen, but it can`t hurt for the players too realise what their current situation is, might make them more wanna work for their living, even though it is a crime they need a stimulance in the first place.

Welcome BTW. :)

thx.

Ok, I agree it's possible, but things must be going very wrong, when that shall happen. And, maybe you're right. Maybe the players don't realise in which situation they are. But it's remarkable they 've won al the matches in de C'L and they have al lot of trouble in the PD. It's maybe a lack of concentration, dedication, performance, whatever. Fact is that they can't switch the button. I know that every team in the PD want to win of Barca. But they aren't the only team, also Real, Depor or VCF are teams that every other team wants to beat. This 3 teams succeed to win their games, but Barca doesn't.
The only thing I can say that there's a big difference of Barca with Cruyff and the current Barca with a lot of midiocre players.

[soccer fanatic]

Which only shows more that being Barca won`t keep us in La Liga.

I mean, you are right ofcourse, normally it can not happen that Barca will relegate. But didn`t the same thing go for Barca being as low as they are now with a negative goal difference and three points clear of the relegation zone?

I mean miracles do happen, not only good ones. But if the squad realises this I`m sure it will work out, if they don`t Barca could be getting a very rough time. Because like you said, nobody in La Liga will let Barca go easy, they all want too beat Barca and will work hard, Barca will have too show some mentality.

[rshepherd1000]

if we dont even get a uefa spot will gaspart be submitting an applications for the intertoto cup? :eek:

[Atalla]

well, i for one, have the optimisim to say that we will get a Uefa cup spot, and may even get our self a chapions leauge spot.

let's not fret. we can do this...... i have been thinking about this long and hard. we did thrash mallorca 4-0, and then won 3-0 in the next match....... we may have gotten lucky along the way, but we can seriously get out of this..... and all hell will break loose. all of those teams will manage to give us one hell of a hard time. i mean, valencia can beat us in Nou Camp, we will have one hell of a time trying to beat them at their home. we will probably loose to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, (let's be realistic) and deportivo may edge out a victory against us. Sociedad too..... but if we play well, then i doubt that barca can loose any other match. no doubts........... our league from should no dip after this.

[soccer fanatic]

We already proven we can loose from anybody, on the other hand it is obvious we can also beat everybody, so lets hope for that. But I think in this time we should behave a bit modest and not shout we will get intoo the CL spots. I think that could break us up if we failed, first care is too just get winning again, where we end up is for later. :)

[relejado]

Originally posted by Atalla
let's not fret. we can do this...... i have been thinking about this long and hard. we did thrash mallorca 4-0, and then won 3-0 in the next match.......

be conscious and don't overrate the win against mallorca, we played with two man more on the pitch

[Olesen10]

We might not get a CL-spot, and it's important to at least get a Uefa Spot, and there could also be some interesting games there as well! As it is right now, we can be beaten by everybody. But if we get better and better as time goes by with the new coach, Barca is back. And when Barca is back, we can beat most of the teams in La Liga. And with luck and good play, we could also win against Real, Depor, Valencia and several others. That's the "problem" with La Liga. There's no bad teams, only less good teams. In England, (no offence) Man Utd. can have a shitty season and play bad, and still get in top 3. In Spain, a team's gotta be ready for every single match, for teams like Rayo Vallecano, Espanyol, Alaves, Bilbao and many others can easily get a win if the opponent isn't ready.

[J R R]

to be honest the way things are ill just be happy if we avoid relegation i dont see things suddenly improving
if antic can get the team motivated and playing well thats good
for me. we are still in CL maybe we can win it !?
but we have to avoid being relagated and start winning

[VivaBarcaInter]

I'd also like to point out that most of our harder fixtures are behind us.

Sure, we still have to go to Real and Valencia, but at least the Valencia game isn't for a long time.

We've been to teams like Bilbao, Sociedad, Depor, Betis, Celta, Malaga and Mallorca in our list so far. Playing them at our ground under a new manager might bring about some better results. Plus, we still have games against teams like Rayo, Espanyol, and Recreativo to come.

If the new manager gives the players a lift as he should, and plays a better system, we should manage to win the vast majority of our remaining home games, as well as win at places like Espanyol and Recreativo.

Always optimistic!

Plus, if we have to go through the intertoto cup, we should definitely win that! Plus, according to UEFA regulations, the 3 winners each get a small replica of the trophy. I didn't even know they had an Intertot trophy! But it would be another one in the cabinet!

[Atalla]

that's more like it guys!!!!!!!!!
keep the faith.......
ole ole ole ole.......... que viva el Barca!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
heheheh

i'm sure that we can win at least 9 of or next fixtures, draw four, and loose a maximum of another 4.......... which will at least grant us a uefa spot!!!!!!!!!!!
viva barca!!!!!!!!
let's keep up the hopes, and by the way, winning the champions league should be a peice of cake....... half our players are hungry for the trophy!!!!!! especially Mendietta, and the dutch contingency, who have all tasted CL glory!!!!!!!!!!
WE CAN CONQUER EUrope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
have no fear..

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
if we dont even get a uefa spot will gaspart be submitting an applications for the intertoto cup? :eek:

Better than nothin'. We have to keep the faith and rally around the team and the new boss. I'm afraid we'll see that it was more than just an LVG thing though.

I'm unsticking this thread now.