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Barcelona: The 5 dream managers for next season

By Chiranjib Ghosh

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Manager Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crvena Zvezda at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Manager Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crvena Zvezda at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: Head coach Alejandro Sabella of Argentina gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: Head coach Alejandro Sabella of Argentina gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Alejandro Sabella: The man who made Messi an Argentine icon

Alejandro Sabella is one of the most underrated managers of all-time. The Estudiantes legend was appointed by his former club as head coach in 2009, and delivered instant success. After leaving Estudiantes, he took over as Argentina manager.

His first decision as Argentina coach was to appoint Lionel Messi as captain. The budding Barça superstar spearheaded a complete revolution in the Argentina national team. Sabella changed the way that the Albiceleste play, trying to emulate Barça.

He implemented a traditional 4-3-3 formation, with Barça player Javier Mascherano in a holding role and Messi as a false nine. It worked wonders, and the buildup to the 2014 World Cup was very good compared to Argentina’s Copa América campaign.

In Brazil, Sabella’s tactical setup could not be properly countered by any side and Argentina breezed through the knockouts. Even though Mario Götze’s late winner meant that Messi wouldn’t become world champion, it was no testament to Sabella’s tactics.

Alejandro Sabella is the only Argentina manager who was able to get the best out of Messi on the international level. Under Sabella, Messi’s performance matched those at club level. It is clear that the two have a working relationship.

Barcelona need a manager with individualism, who can bring his own personality to the football. Sabella does not roll with the punches, and that is why he is one of the best managers of the 21st century. In that way, he is similar to Pep Guardiola.

Sabella has not taken up any coaching role since he resigned as Argentina manager after the World Cup in Brazil. But with the right offer, Barça could convince him to manage Messi again, and reach the pinnacle of club football with the maestro.

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