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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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VALENCIA, SPAIN – AUGUST 10: Marcelino Garcia Toral head coach of Valencia CF reacts prior to the Bwin Trofeo Naranja friendly match between Valencia CF and FC Internazionale at Estadio Mestalla on August 10, 2019 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Get Ready Images/MB Media/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN – AUGUST 10: Marcelino Garcia Toral head coach of Valencia CF reacts prior to the Bwin Trofeo Naranja friendly match between Valencia CF and FC Internazionale at Estadio Mestalla on August 10, 2019 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Get Ready Images/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Marcelino: The rising star of La Liga

Very few managers have been able to transform good sides into title challengers, especially in a league like the La Liga. Marcelino was able to achieve that with Valencia, and his tenure culminated in a win against Barcelona of all teams.

Marcelino made the step up to the big leagues with the Sevilla job. But Los Nervionsenses fired him after just a few games. But the former Spain youth international picked himself up with a very successful 3-year reign at Villarreal.

A newly-promoted Villarreal finished in the top six in three seasons in a row, and Marcelino even led the Submarines to the semi-final of the Europa League. A tussle with the board eventually got him fired.

At Valencia, he led a total rejuvenation. Los Che were hot on Barça’s trail for the majority of the season, and finished 4th in the end. Marcelino got the best out of Valencia’s stars, namely Dani Parejo and Rodrigo Moreno.

The next season, Valencia did even better, winning the Copa del Rey. Again, it was a disagreement with the management that resulted in his sacking. But what Marcelino did at the Mestalla has made waves, and is a reason why he deserves a step further up the ladder.

Under Marcelino, Valencia played some extremely entertaining football. His 4-4-2 formation was very malleable, and is adaptive to the situation. On some occasions, Valencia played in a 4-3-3 setup, with Parejo as the main playmaker and Rodrigo as the finisher.

Marcelino also gave opportunities to locally-developed talent. Ferran Torres and Lee Kang-in were given their debuts by Marcelino, and Carlos Soler progressed to the first-team. He also made some very good signings, like Gonçalo Guedes and Neto.

Valencia often relied on quick, agile players to make the breakthrough up front. Physically imposing midfielders like Geoffrey Kondogbia broke up counter-attacks, and released wing-backs José Gayà and Daniel Wass.

This may not be a perfect analogy for a Barça side, but it can certainly fit the club’s philosophy as Marcelino does possess the tactical know-how. He can bring a more counter-attacking flair to the Barça game, and tighten up the defensive side of things too.

Like Valverde, it would be unsure whether Marcelino was ready for the step up. But it hasn’t worked with Valverde, and that remains a precedent. But Marcelino is always a better bet than the Basque coach.

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