Laudrup Is Cruyff's Choice

Steve Michaels
Goal.com
Monday 5 May 2008

Barcelona could be set to make a formal approach for Getafe coach Michael Laudrup in the coming weeks after the Dane received the backing of Johan Cruyff to take over at the Camp Nou.

Laudrup The Man?
Frank Rijkaard would appear to be a dead-man walking, with the assumption being that he will leave at the end of the season after two years without a trophy, and it seems that Laudrup could be the man to replace him.

Barça president Joan Laporta has often sought out the advice of Cruyff when making decisions at the club and the Dutch legend has apparently put forward Laudrup as his suggestion, as he believes that the Getafe coach is the ideal balance between Jose Mourinho and Josep Guardiola.

Cruyff is opposed to Mourinho's footballing philosophy, although he admires his firm attitude with players, while he believes that the first team may be too big a step for Guardiola at this time despite enjoying the style of football that the former Barça midfielder has cultivated in charge of the B Team.

Laudrup sits somewhere in between, demanding respect from his players and running a tight ship, whilst also allowing his team to express themselves on the field, with Getafe having played some excellent football throughout the season.

The former Danish international was – like Guardiola – a member of Cruyff's fabled 'Dream Team' at the club, and although left in acrimonious circumstances to join their rivals Real Madrid, there is a feeling that this could be overlooked if he was able to achieve success as coach.

If Barça are to make a move for Laudrup then they may have to do so sooner rather than later, with Real Zaragoza and possibly Atlético Madrid also keen on taking him on board for next season.

Where Is Jose?
All this comes even as reports out of Madrid claim that Jose Mourinho has snubbed the Catalan giants. Meanwhile, incumbent coach Frank Rijkaard is refusing to throw in the towel.

As an aside, a survey conducted by Sport suggests that 80% of the fans would welcome a new managerial team of José Mourinho and Josep Guardiola.

This comes as quite a development, as many fans were once reluctant to see former Chelsea boss José Mourinho take over. However, it seems that they will accept this if current reserve team boss and dyed-in-the-wool Barcelona man Pep Guardiola serves as his number two. Luis Enrique could also serve as an assistant.

80% of voters gave their approval to this potential combination.

Other Candidates
Rumours in the local press have emerged that the club have made preliminary contact with present Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Pellegrini's name is just the latest in a long line of rumours. AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, whose job in Italy is said to be under threat, has apparently been approached by a Barça director for discussion.

Pep Guardiola is not out of the running for the top job, though it seems that he is more likely to take up an assistant's role for now. Laurent Blanc, who was mentioned last month, seems to have fallen out of the running.

It is looking like the Laudrup-Guardiola midfield partnership from Cruyff's golden era could be charged with rescuing Barcelona from their current plight.