bosox4283 said:
I read about Spanish soccer every single day, and I don't get it.
I could be way off with this idea, but I also think that the problem with Spanish football reflects the problem with Spanish society -- corruption that borders on incompetence, a deference to the rich and powerful, and a political class that is too large and too quick to insert itself where it doesn't belong.
Zososoxfan said:
Astonishing how much this could also be describing the US...
Not fired twice, but Heynckes was fired 98 by Real Madrid after winning the CL and left Bayern 2013 after winning, too. (But 2013 was his career-ending move.)Cellar-Door said:Ancelotti has to be the first manager fired by two different clubs a season after winning the Champions League right?
Domer said:I still have no idea why they think Rafa Benitez, whose Napoli team failed to win a significant trophy or qualify for Champions League this season, is an upgrade over Ancelotti. His Napoli teams have done alright in a historically weak era for Serie A, but he only has one Coppa Italia to show for it.
He retired after the club announced his replacement 6 months prior to the end of the season. Everything worked, but that was really strange.Schnerres said:Not fired twice, but Heynckes was fired 98 by Real Madrid after winning the CL and left Bayern 2013 after winning, too. (But 2013 was his career-ending move.)
Zososoxfan said:Benitez is no slouch and is a fine tactician. More of an Xs and Os guy than Carlo, but then again, not sure that's what Real needs. I feel like Carlo was a perfect manager (in every sense of the word) for Real. With the talent that Real always has, the team will generally be fine. Anything other than a stubborn bastard (cough Mourinho cough) should be fine.
bosox4283 said:
The Bale problem, I think, renders anyone's tactics to be secondary. Unless Real Madrid surprises everyone and dumps Bale or Benzema, I find it hard to envision the next coach not going with BBC (Bale-Benzema-Ronaldo) next year. In this formation, you have to play Kroos and Modric in the middle, with James most likely to be the other guy in the midfield. Isco becomes the 12th man.
Would the next coach--most likely Benitez--have the guts to bench Bale or Benzema? To me, that's the key to success.
Oh, and Ronaldo is aging. He'll be 31 half-way through the season in February. While he's in top shape, he's got a lot of miles on his body and he seems to be slowing down in some aspects of the game.
De Gea
Carvajal-Ramos-Varane-Marcelo
Isco-Modric-Kroos-James
Bale-Ronaldo
vs
De Gea
Carvajal-Ramos-Varane-Marcelo
James-Modric-Kroos
Bale-Benzema-Ronaldo
The only two players that I see as locks for the bench are Casemiro, who replaces Khedira, and Danilo, who will be a substitute or competition for Carvajal. I'm not sure they'll keep Illaramendi or Jese around -- nor am I sure why those guys will want to stay. Who knows what will happen with Lucas Silva.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
People have been talking about that move for a while but I've never gotten a good read on whether Ronaldo actually supports the idea or not.
Vinho Tinto said:
Ronaldo has consistently made it known that he has no interest in playing CF. I think it comes down to not wanting to match up vs big CBs vs taking on smaller RBs.