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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.
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