It is being reported tonight that Barca coach, Luis Van Gaal, has quit in the wake of the resignation of Club President, Nunez.
This probably means we can forget about signing Enrique and Guardiola.
It looks like the the Gods are conspiring to cr@p on us yet again!

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2000

Answers

However, Zenden, De Boer, De Boer and Kluivert, plus any other Dutchies they've got might be looking for a new home.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2000

Esta siendo seqalado esta noche que el coche de Barca, Luis Van Gaal, ha salido como consecuencia de la dimisisn del presidente del club, Nunez. Esto significa probablemente que podemos olvidarnos sobre la firma de Enrique y de Guardiola. Parece el dioses esta conspirando al crap en nosotros con todo otra vez!

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Remember when Milan were offering Kluivert at a discount rate because of his off-field problems? Fortunately we saw through this and snuck around the back to sneak away with the grand prize...Andreas Andersson :-(

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

I've said thie elsewhere but I bet the Catalans are wishing they'd looked after Bobby a bit better. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they hadn't contacted him to try to get him to do some caretaking for them. I'd imagine he'd tell them to take a hike.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

I'm sure that YBR would be far more polite than that, but at the same time I'm sure he would remind them of what he said to the Toon when he was approached after KK walked........

Not so much of right job - wrong time, more been there - done that - got the T Shirt

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Well, different president etc.. I bet they are cursing their stupidity for getting rid of him. It is an intriguing question, though, as to who will get Van Gaal's job. Wenger looks like a candidate. They'd probably have Cruyff back. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they didn't go for Gullit.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Clarky, You're right that we probably won't get Guardiola or Enrique. The Catalans hated Van Gaal's "Buy Dutch" policy and will no doubt welcome them back to the first team with open arms when they get a new coach.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

If they want to get rid of the Dutch continigent, I think that would rule out Gullit......I reckon Wenger is favourite followed by Vialli if they are looking over here.....beyond that, I suppose they would have to look on their own doorstep or possibly at Italy.....

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Dunno - Gullit hasn't shown any preference for Dutch players as a manager((-; Anyway, why not El Tel: they still love him there and aren't as squeamish as we are about "financial dealings" (they offered Espanyol a million Pound incentive for beating Deportivo.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

I think El Tel has been too long out of the game now.......he's even more rusty than he was when he went back to Palace......did you see him 'summarising' recently....I'm sorry, but I reckon he's lost the plot completely........nah.....Wenger or Viali for me......when you have the money and wherewithall you want to go forward with the new.....not back to the old.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Disagree. What Barca will need is a steady hand. Nunez has been president for 20-odd years AND they are looking for a new manager. Difficult times. Furthermore, how many years was Keegan out? Did you ever read his summaries of games that he did from Mallaga? The reason he was so good when he came back was cos he'd had a break from the game and had no pre-conceptions. Actually, assuming Keegan resigns this summer, he might be a bet for Barca.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

I don't believe that KK will resign this summer......my incling is that he will have a shot at the World Cup qualification starting September (or whenever).

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

The Swede, Erikson, has just won the Serie A Championship for Lazio and has a terrific pedigree. He'll surely be on Barcelona's list. I'd rather he went there than to manure, who have also been reported to be keen on him as SAF's replacement. However, the fact that he's apparently looking to spend #70mm on three players - Viera, Rivaldo, and Valencia's Lopez - might just prove to be a incentive to stay put!

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

I wonder how Taggart fancy's getting some sun on his back?

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Interesting thought Ken - Taggart to Barcelona, and Goran-Eriksen to OT!
Much as I loathe the man, manure will find it incredibly difficult to replace SAF. They don't appear to have a credible internal succession plan in place, and will need to find a ready-made replacement. We can certainly vouch for how difficult that can be, when using "the best man available" principle under pressure.
It seems there is no love lost between SAF and Martin Edwards, and if Edwards felt the right man was available now, he might feel compelled to grab him while he could, even if that meant showing SAF the door, or trying to shove him upstairs - which might require a JCB. This would be incredibly risky for Edwards, and smart politicians usually avoid high-risk situations. However, in such a situation SAF might just prefer a new challenge for a couple of years in the sun.
Machiavellian perhaps, but as they say - "it's a funny ol' game".

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000

Clarky (or should it be Grandad)

>>>>>>Much as I loathe the man, manure will find it incredibly difficult to replace SAF<<<<

THAT is EXACTLY what I was planning on........;0D

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2000