Page 47 - Soccer360 Issue 107

COACH CONTEST
Feargal Brennan discusses La Liga’s managerial headlines ahead of 2024- 25, including Hansi Flick’s Barcelona assignment.
Barcelona’s decision to opt for Hansi
Flick as the figure to lead them into the
new campaign was the culmination of
president Joan Laporta’s long-term plan
to bring the German coach to Catalonia.
Despite the ugliness of Xavi’s eventual
departure, after he initially agreed to
stay on, Laporta’s ruthless approach
yielded the result he wanted. The focus
now centres on whether or not it was
the correct call to dispense with a club
legend.
Flick’s resumé of having guided Bayern
Munich to the treble in 2019-20 hints at
him being able to get BaUrEcFeAlhoans a ‘over come a long
the line’ in certain situations where Xavi
occasionally came up short but there
in 1955
Laporta’s desire to flex will need to be balanced by a genuine title challenge
to Real Madrid, which Flick will be
quietly confident about masterminding, particularly after the summer acquisition of Euro 2024 winner Dani Olmo. Injuries were a key derailment of Xavi in the
final throes of last season and Olmo’s arrival eases the lingering concerns over Frenkie de Jong’s ability to stay fit for a full season.
Elsewhere in La Liga, veteran coach Quique Sanchez Flores joined Xavi in moving on at the end of last season after keeping Sevilla away from relegation. This is a time where the Andalucians are craving stability after two disappointing league campaigns, yet their choice of replacement looks to be a risk with new boss Garcia Pimienta not inspiring too much confidence based on his time at Las Palmas.
Mallorca have also changed their manager, opting for experience with the appointment of Jagoba Arrasate, who clearly felt he had taken Osasuna as far as possible in La Liga after six years with the club. However, the situation in Palma is less stable than in Pamplona, and expectations will be raised even without merit or major transfer investment from the islanders. Replacing Arrasate at El Sadar is Vicente Moreno, who’ll hope to last longer in this role than he did with Almeria a year ago.
And it is as you were in the capital, with Diego Simeone signing a new contract
to extend his lengthy tenure at Atletico while Carlo Ancelotti has assembled the most envied forward line in world football as he looks to replicate last season’s triumphs.
is still work to do to convince the La
Champions Blaugrana fan base ovLeragtuheeCudpebacle.
way since
Real Madrid
won the very first
RAYOVALLECANO REALBETIS
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 17th place RECORD: 8-14-16
MOST GOALS: Garcia (6)
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 7th place RECORD: 14-15-9 MOST GOALS: Jose (10)
HANSI FLICK
Barcelona
GARCIA PIMIENTA
Sevilla
JAGOBA ARRASATE
Mallorca
VICENTE MORENO
Osasuna
DIEGO SIMEONE
Atletico Madrid
Inigo Perez was not even meant to be at Rayo last season, but proved a steadying influence as he saw the club to safety after being appointed in February. They will be among the sides discussed as relegation candidates this time around, with their hopes of staying up potentially resting on whether Los Franjirrojos can improve on
a paltry record of just 29 La Liga goals in 2023-24.
The power of the home crowd in Vallecas will again be the strongest card for Rayo, but they are boosted by the return of former star Adri Embarba on loan from Almeria. That was the main headline of a quiet summer, with Pedro Diaz also arriving from financially stricken Bordeaux.
KEY PLAYER
Adri Embarba
Real Betis will not be expecting a major shift in either direction in terms of league position with a push for Europe anticipated again having consistently challenged in
or around the top six throughout the past two seasons. Some experienced names have moved on such as Guido Rodriguez to West Ham United, Willian Jose to Spartak Moscow, and Ayoze Perez to Villarreal, but Manuel Pellegrini’s nous should ensure no panic at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Indeed, they have added shrewdly to
their defence with long-time Switzerland international Ricardo Rodriguez signing from Torino, and Leeds United duo Diego Llorente and Marc Roca also making the move to Seville. If Isco can keep up his encouraging form and the goals of Willian Jose can be replaced, another decent season looks on the cards.
KEY PLAYER
Isco
DID YOU KNOW?
Diego Simeone, known as “El Cholo,” had a remarkable career as a midfielder, playing for top clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Lazio.
SOCCER360 45