Opinion | Martino Presented at Barcelona
Opinion | Martino Presented at Barcelona
A change in Cule policy or more of the same?
Barcelona are a huge club. Catalan Giants, defending Champions in Spain and one of the best footballing teams to grace the planet over the last few decades. So as you can imagine it takes a lot to rock the club but this week the players, board and fans were left reeling at the news that Tito Vilanova would be stepping down due to his on going battle with cancer.
Tito of course missed part of last season when Jordi Roura stepped in as back up for the manager and despite a rocky period, the club went on to lift the La Liga title, largely due to the impressive work done by Tito during the first half of the season. When the popular coach came back from New York, this was coupled with the news that fellow cancer survivor Eric Abidal could begin playing football again. 
Now to see the faces of the same players who were obviously elated to see Tito back ashen with shock and worry at the press conference held by Sandro Rosell was a sharp reminder that football is one thing and life is another. Tito has vowed to continue at the club he considers his own in some capacity and Barcelona themselves have agreed to pay their former manager s yearly salary whilst he continues his treatment. Quite a classy move by the club but then Barcelona do look after their own. 
Gerardo Martino unveiled as new Barcelona manager today.
News of the replacement for Tito travelled fast, it was initially thought Gus Hiddink would be stepping into the breach after resigning from Anzhi earlier that day yet that was not the case and eventually little known Gerardo Martino was installed as the new manager.
The 50 year old has gone from being virtually an unknown for most of us to the name on everyone s lips and was the personal choice of Leo Messi should the press be believed. Whilst his compatriot denied he had any influence over the appointment, Messi has previously gushed about the manager noting that I like Tato Martino. He is a great coach. He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him. Good news indeed for the new manager, having your star man on side is not to be sniffed at.
For many, the appointment of Tito in the first place seemed like the extension of Pep Guardiola s reign and with little wonder. Tito followed much the same career path as Pep at the club and holds the same footballing philosophies. Should the club have gone for a Mourinho type of manager when Pep stood down, that would have signalled a total change but they chose to continue with what the players liked and what the club knew.
Now Tato has come in and many are wondering just what type of Barcelona we will see next season. With players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta, there is only going to be one way and that is passing perfection. The board would not have appointed a manager they did not think could get the very best out of their current crop of players and the young starlets coming up from La Masia.
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Many people questioned if the quality of La Masia graduates was taking a natural dip after producing so many top players and with the arrival of blockbuster summer signing Neymar, that was only asked even more. Of course you are not going to produce a Xavi every year but you only have to look at the list of top young players rising through the side or even being sold on and flourishing to see that is not the case.
Tato himself values youth and the up and coming players and they will certainly get their chance under him. Neither will the style of football at the club, the 50 year old is a huge fan of the concept lauded by Pep Guardiloa attacking as one, defending as one . In his former side Newell, it was clear to see how much the concept of Verticalidad, the idea of moving the ball quickly from back to front and always having three passing options for the player in possession to chose from, was utilized. 
Barcelona are not really a club full of surprises, they stick to what they know works. Given the obvious affection for the new manager from key players not to mention the way his former side Newell played and the 50 year old s style when it comes to dealing with the media, the appointment did not come as a shock with anyone who knew Tata well. 
Some time back, Tato noted that he identified with the style of Barcelona and claimed he was impressed with their ability to keep the ball in tight spaces that few teams can match. Not only that but he called the criticism the club have received in recent years unjustified.
Clearly a fan of the club and a subscriber to the Barca way Tata may seem like a huge break from the recent policy of promoting from within but when push comes to shove, expect much more of the from Barcelona and given that has roughly translated as a host of trophies each season, their rivals should be very afraid.
Is Tato Martino the right man for the job? Let us know your thoughts.
