After cancer relapses have resulted in the forced departure of yet another key Barça member, this time in coach Tito Villanova, the eventual choice of successor was a flabbergasting one, to say the least. Of all the possible candidates in Ronald Koeman, Rubi, Luis Enrique, or Marcelo Bielsa, Rosell and co. have gone for none other than the Argentine Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, a call which was influenced largely by superstar and compatriot Lionel Messi, a player who actually had experience at Newell's Old Boys, the Argentine club where Martino made his name as a player, and later on, as a manager.
Admittedly, and much like other football fans, until the transfer speculation, I had known little to nothing about Martino. Well, after a little curious research as a proud Culé, I found out that Martino,was the most-capped player for Newell's Old Boys, and has the notability of a single Argentina cap. But enough about that. What matters right now is his track record as a manager. He's enjoyed success in Paraguayan football, once being voted the South American coach of the year, culminating in him managing the Paraguayan national team from 2006-2011, most notably in Paraguay's quarter-final success in the 2010 World Cup, as well as managing them to their Runners-up honour in the 2011 Copa América. So there's a bit of experience there. Well, the year before receiving the surprising news of managing one of the world's best sports teams, he continued to make his name back at Newell's. He won the Torneo Final of the Argentina Primera División in 2013 and made it to the semis of the 2013 Copa Libertadores. Give credit where credit is due. That is no mean feat.
Now based on observing Newell's Old Boys in action, as well as on word of mouth from pundits, Argentine and otherwise, Tata Martino appears to be a strong advocate for attacking football, often having his teams play a high line. He appears to be well prepared to throw caution to the wind, being quoted to have said that he "goes for possession, attacking and taking risks" with "defenders playing at least 40 metres away from the keeper". He is also keen on utilizing talent from youth academies, integrating youth into the squads of whomever he coaches. Well, based on the above criteria, it sounds like his modus operandi is very similar to what Barça does and, indeed, always has played in recent times.
However, based on my observation, at least with the Paraguayan team, he is not rigid in his style of play. While he is all for high-risk, attacking and fluid football, he is prepared to play with discipline if needed. The Paraguay in the 2010 World Cup certainly did not play mind-boggling football, but he is willing to adapt his play based on the limitations on his squad, evident with the Albirroja. However, Barça is a team in which he does not need to deviate from his preferred style of play. This batch consists of the world's best players, and I am expecting more of the same from them.
Skeptics will argue that his complete lack of European experience means that Barça is taking a complete gamble. Well, you can't really blame them for thinking this, but then again, nothing ventured nothing gained. Plus, remember that Pep Guardiola's tenure came after experience only with the Barça B side. So Martino, in fact, has more experience in coaching than Pep did before he took the reigns at what was, at the time, a club in disarray and dressing-room turbulence. And look at the end result of Pep's tenure. Martino also has the luxury of entering the job with most of Guardiola's established batch of players, as well as now having Neymar as yet another attacking threat at his disposal. The scrutiny will also come from how he integrates the Brazilian into the squad, and how he will play with Messi.
Well, you have to expect that Martino has the batch of players every coach can only dream of, and his style of play is similar to that which Barcelona has been both priding itself on and succeeding with. With the season coming up, let's see if Martino can reap the rewards. I, as a Barça fan, will truly hope so.
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| Gerardo 'Tata' Martino unveiled as new Barça manager |
Admittedly, and much like other football fans, until the transfer speculation, I had known little to nothing about Martino. Well, after a little curious research as a proud Culé, I found out that Martino,was the most-capped player for Newell's Old Boys, and has the notability of a single Argentina cap. But enough about that. What matters right now is his track record as a manager. He's enjoyed success in Paraguayan football, once being voted the South American coach of the year, culminating in him managing the Paraguayan national team from 2006-2011, most notably in Paraguay's quarter-final success in the 2010 World Cup, as well as managing them to their Runners-up honour in the 2011 Copa América. So there's a bit of experience there. Well, the year before receiving the surprising news of managing one of the world's best sports teams, he continued to make his name back at Newell's. He won the Torneo Final of the Argentina Primera División in 2013 and made it to the semis of the 2013 Copa Libertadores. Give credit where credit is due. That is no mean feat.
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| An animated Martino during his time with 'La Albirroja' |
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| Newell's Old Boys celebrate their 2013 league triumph |
Now based on observing Newell's Old Boys in action, as well as on word of mouth from pundits, Argentine and otherwise, Tata Martino appears to be a strong advocate for attacking football, often having his teams play a high line. He appears to be well prepared to throw caution to the wind, being quoted to have said that he "goes for possession, attacking and taking risks" with "defenders playing at least 40 metres away from the keeper". He is also keen on utilizing talent from youth academies, integrating youth into the squads of whomever he coaches. Well, based on the above criteria, it sounds like his modus operandi is very similar to what Barça does and, indeed, always has played in recent times.
However, based on my observation, at least with the Paraguayan team, he is not rigid in his style of play. While he is all for high-risk, attacking and fluid football, he is prepared to play with discipline if needed. The Paraguay in the 2010 World Cup certainly did not play mind-boggling football, but he is willing to adapt his play based on the limitations on his squad, evident with the Albirroja. However, Barça is a team in which he does not need to deviate from his preferred style of play. This batch consists of the world's best players, and I am expecting more of the same from them.
Skeptics will argue that his complete lack of European experience means that Barça is taking a complete gamble. Well, you can't really blame them for thinking this, but then again, nothing ventured nothing gained. Plus, remember that Pep Guardiola's tenure came after experience only with the Barça B side. So Martino, in fact, has more experience in coaching than Pep did before he took the reigns at what was, at the time, a club in disarray and dressing-room turbulence. And look at the end result of Pep's tenure. Martino also has the luxury of entering the job with most of Guardiola's established batch of players, as well as now having Neymar as yet another attacking threat at his disposal. The scrutiny will also come from how he integrates the Brazilian into the squad, and how he will play with Messi.
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| Martino already has the backing of the Vice President Bartomeu (left) and director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta (right) |
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| Tata's new Barça team practicing the passing which they have used to such great effect over the years |
Well, you have to expect that Martino has the batch of players every coach can only dream of, and his style of play is similar to that which Barcelona has been both priding itself on and succeeding with. With the season coming up, let's see if Martino can reap the rewards. I, as a Barça fan, will truly hope so.
