The Football/Soccer Thread v2

[kakashi919]

Looks like he wouldn't be there... he said he may leave.

[xi0]

BALE.


That is all

[kakashi919]

Bale? Whatever happened to him? Don't hear about him anymore

[goldb]

Think he was injured for a bit, then his form just dipped. Now he's nowhere to be heard. Though to be fair to him, he was playing godly when he was on fire so it's a difficult level to keep to. I just hope he picks up again. I doubt he'd leave Spurs though, too much loyalty to Redknapp and belief in his plans to make them the best team in London.

[Doraku]

Looks like he wouldn't be there... he said he may leave.

My information source might be wrong, but I heard that Barca executive boards said that they will persuade Pep to stay. It seems too harsh if Barca suddenly fire Pep because of this season result. Whether you like him or not, Pep is a great coach.

But if he wants to leave, I see that as his opportunity to prove that he can manage any team besides Barcelona.

Barcelona's fans expectation for Torres :

Reality:

[kakashi919]

WOOOT!!!! BAYEERRNNNN!!!!

[FrostyMouse]

It was a good second match. Around half time, I predicted that we'd go to penalties, and I ended up being right. Plus, Bayern lost three players for the final, so it's all good.

[Doraku]

So, Pep decided to leave Barca, sad news. I wonder if he is getting too much pressure from the executive boards, his decision seems a bit rushed.

Tito Vilanova is appointed as a new coach. I hope he is able to keep Barcelona performance.

[xi0]

Supposedly Messi was too emotional to attend the press conference. It'll be interesting to see what direction the team goes with personnel.

[goldb]

I think he should've waited until the end of the season to announce this, as doing so so close to the end is not good for morale going into the next game. But he was a good manager, had a strong foundation to work from but it takes someone with great qualities to be able to lead a strong ensemble like that to continuous success and stay hungry for more. Really bought out the best in his players and further focused their style of football and bought it close to what is considered perfection.

[xi0]

I think he should've waited until the end of the season to announce this, as doing so so close to the end is not good for morale going into the next game. But he was a good manager, had a strong foundation to work from but it takes someone with great qualities to be able to lead a strong ensemble like that to continuous success and stay hungry for more. Really bought out the best in his players and further focused their style of football and bought it close to what is considered perfection.

Yeah, I don't really understand that either. Announcing it before a season is one thing, but doing it during the season doesn't help anyone. I wonder if he was pressured into making a decision.

[goldb]

Yeah, I don't really understand that either. Announcing it before a season is one thing, but doing it during the season doesn't help anyone. I wonder if he was pressured into making a decision.

I wouldn't like to think so, but despite some fantastic results and personal achievements for Messi, none of those will be bringing them a major trophy this season. So either the board were not happy about having ONE season without a major trophy or he's taken that opportunity to leave while it's still his choice to do so and look for a new challenge.

The rumours have begun circulating regarding his next job, with the England and Chelsea job being most talked about. Apparently Roman Abramovich wants to offer him complete control of the running of the club and how transfers are dealt with, which only some of the biggest managers have.

[xi0]

But aren't they saying Pep wants to take time off from coaching?

[Imperium]

Yes that what is he was implying. Personally im sure it was fully his decision and the board probably did as much as they could to keep him. He mentioned to the board mid season that this will most likely be his last. But only did it now publicly once they were out of the competition for every major trophy (bar their copa del rey final) and in that sense I dont think its problematic. I think both the players and he will go into that final knowing its their last game and their last trophy together and possibly motivate them in a way they would not have been before.

I think running the club exhausted him of everything, mentally and physically. Its only been 4 years and he is already coached the 3rd highest amount of game for Barca.

Even if he doesn't come back though, he has undoubtedly been the most talented manager of the past decade. 4 years. 13 trophies from a possible 17 (14 from 17 if he wins the copa del rey at the end of his tenure).

[Doraku]

Torres made hattrick is just... uncanny?

Well, If he finally finds his best form, I hope UCL final would be an interesting match. Cannot wait to see which one is better, Torres or Gomez.