[Pat Murphy]

La Liga Season Preview: The Managers

As a final observation of the season ahead and with the big kick-off looming, here is a look at all the coaching incumbents currently in post in La Liga. I say currently, because Spain is not known for its tolerance of managerial ineptitude in football, and many of these individuals will be happy to make it past Christmas. Some of them most certainly will not. It is impossible to know the identity of those unfortunate individuals at this point, so we cannot warn them. Poor suckers.

Almeria: Unai Emery

This is the Andalucian outfit’s maiden voyage in La Liga, given the club’s embryonic life in being founded just a few years ago (after a merger), though its previous incarnation worked their way up from the lower reaches of Spanish football before that. Emery guided the team to the Segunda runners-up spot and promotion with relative ease last term. Unfortunately, mixing it with the big guns is a totally different proposition and Almeria look set to struggle. Former Atletico Mineiro’ shot-stopper Diego Alves arrives on a 5 year deal and will be trusted between the sticks, and young ‘keeper will be aided by the presence of Liga campaigners Lopez Rekarte and Pulido in defence. Keeping key contributors from last season like Crusat, Corona and the 13-goal Michel has been augmented by loan signings Dos Santos and Vidangossy from Bayern and Villarreal respectively, though that seems more of a punt from Emery. Still, he will likely need all the fortune that comes his way in the next ten months.

Atheltic Bilbao: Joaquin Caparros

One could never accuse Caparros of shying away from a challenge. Handing over an already highly promising Sevilla side to Juande Ramos and opting for a sinking Deportivo was the tactician’s own decision back in the day. In his time at the Riazor he did as well as could be expected, and undoubtedly better than most coaches would have under such financially constrictive circumstances. It is now the Basque club’s turn to be steadied, and boy do they need it after finishing just a point above relegation and looking extremely vulnerable all season. Mane saved them in the end, and his departure would seem to spell more doom if it weren’t for Caparros’s arrival. Injury problems have surfaced, most notably Yeste, while Urzaiz has finally gone and new signings are few. But the San Mames faithful (and they are that) should endure a less terrifying season this time around.

Atletico Madrid: Javier Aguirre

Like Atleti coaches before him, and perhaps even to a greater extent, Aguirre was given the money and got his players last summer, but ultimately did not go above and beyond many of his predecessors. Los Colchoneros played good stuff at times last season and, in fairness, they also had significant injuries to contend with. The loss of Torres could prove a blessing, ensuring a major cash injection and terminating once and for all the ‘will he won’t’ he’ debate over the star striker’s future each summer, which only contributed to the pressure to succeed. The capital side are moving in the right direction, and the Mexican’s acquisitions are full of pace and quality. The quintet of Forlan, Reyes, Simao, Luis Garcia and Maxi Rodriguez (though not all on the field at once!) - and that’s on top of the ever-maturing Aguero - could be magical and makes Champions League football a real and hugely necessary goal.

Barcelona: Frank Rijkaard

Rijkaard will look back on 06/07 with notable disdain, and not only because of the way it ended. If the currency is performance above results, Barca were patchy from the onset. You could almost see it coming, as they delivered for much of the season displays endemic of a team that has won everything and in dire need of a re-shuffle. That is precisely what has happened, and with weaknesses seemingly remedied to boot. People have made too much of the 4 players into 3 positions debate after Henry’s signing, paying insufficient attention to strengthening elsewhere. If they keep winning it won't be much of an issue, because nobody will want to break ranks and be seen to think of himself above the squad. Also, Rijkaard has been no stranger to injury nightmares and excessive match schedules in his time at Camp Nou, and will look upon his squad with some satisfaction. He knows he needs to win either the CL or the league, and the team are more than capable of meeting those demands.

Betis: Hector Cuper

Los Pepinos made ridiculously heavy work of La Liga last season, given the quality in the squad. To be fighting relegation was a mark of poor application on the part of squad and coach, rather than an inability to match the opposing talent. Hector Cuper is deemed the answer to the problems at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. His signings look interesting, not least Portuguese ‘keeper Ricardo who will add further colour and charisma to the league, Croat midfielder Babic is classy, while Gonzalez’s arrival from Liverpool should provide much-needed width after Joaquin’s departure to Valencia last summer. However, Cuper’s record is now a long way from solid after a disastrous last spell at Mallorca. He totally re-fashioned the squad at Son Moix having saved them brilliantly from the drop the season before, only to leave after a string of poor results and dire displays. He will need to answer doubters, but the bar is not terribly high for the former Inter and Valencia boss.

Deportivo La Coruna: Miguel Angel Lotina

If Lotina manages to do as well as Caparros has in the last two years by guiding Depor to a safe mid-table position, he will probably have outdone his predecessor, given a squad that has been weakened even further this summer. The coach failed to save Sociedad last season, but has had good spells at Espanyol, Celta (into the CL, but then relegation) and most of all Osasuna. The Riazor outfit have lost star players here and there ever since their pomp at the very start of the century, and losing Capdevila, club record-signing Duscher and, most of all, Jorge Andrade is a huge blow to sustain. Moreover, given the clubs ever-crippling financial frugality, no notable names have arrived to fill these considerable shoes. Lotina has a job on his hands.

Espanyol: Ernesto Valverde

To be unfortunate UEFA Cup final losers was a bittersweet end to a very good season for the Catalan club. Espanyol fans tasted a rare European final and the team showed immense heart to fight until the very end. Much of the praise must fall to the excellent Valverde, who again proved himself as one of La Liga’s most talented and now equally consistent managers. It is a much sought-after combination in the coaching world. Summer recruitment has been relatively low key, though Osasuna’s Valdo looks a canny signing and could give Los Periquitos added creativity down the flanks. Another good year is in store for Barca’s diminutive local rivals.

Getafe: Michael Laudrup

The club’s decision to replace Madrid bound Schuster with what is not only an unknown quantity in Spanish coaching circles, but largely worldwide, was an interesting and somewhat bold choice. For as little a club as they are, Getafe have done incredibly well since being promoted a few years ago, and have received plenty of press in doing so. Laudrup’s appointment certainly keeps them in the headlines, and the Danes acquisitions look like good ones. Outgoings have been notable, not least in defence with Alexis but throughout the team with Paredes, Pachon and Vivar Dorado – all regulars – departing too. Valencia’s young gun Pallardo looks a shrewd purchase as do attacking duo Uche and ex-Sevilla forward Kepa Blanco. Getafe also confirmed themselves as the first team to get serious about promising Argentine ‘keeper Ustari of River Plate, who will be protecting the goal with a somewhat re-fashioned team in front of him. Initial feelings are Laudrup will either succeed marvellously (as Schuster and Flores did before him) or crash and burn in a ball of flames.

Levante: Abel Resino

Resino essentially saved the club from the drop after Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, in spite of a raft of new signings, dragged the team through muck and mire until the directors saw sense and sacked him at the turn of the year. New signings are not anything to shout about this summer, but if the former Atletico Madrid ‘keeper and Cuidad de Murcia coach can instil the same discipline and unity as was evident in the second half of last season, Levante will prove a tough nut to crack, at least at home. It may prove sufficient to keep them up.

Mallorca: Gregorio Manzano

Manzano had a pretty decent first full season in his second stint at the club, having previously taken the islanders to the 2003 Copa Del Rey title which in turn landed him the Atletico job. A steady season looks on the cards again. The loss of Jankovic is a big blow, though German Lux (River Plate) and speedy Cameroonian forward Pierre Webo should help cover the loss, where Maxi Lopez was also among the departed. Arango remaining (if that proves to be the case) is a major plus.

Murcia: Lucas Alcaraz

Alcaraz has Liga experience in a two year stint at Racing from 03 to 05, and takes over at a club that were never at the races the last time they played in Spain's top division. New faces look the business though, not least in Pablo Garcia who can make any midfield defensively formidable by himself, while the talented if somewhat inconsistent duo of De Lucas and Regueiro will give width. The experienced Curro Torres (Valencia) and the underrated Mejia (Real Madrid) will add yet more experience in front of new Uruguayan 'keeper Fabian Carini, while, perhaps most importantly, a club reord fee was paid for Brazilian centre forward Fernando Baiano of relegated Celta. The former Malaga man is capable of reaching double figures, and with a few others chipping in, it could be enough to keep Murcia from the drop.

Osasuna: Cuco Ziganda

A worry-free season for the Pamplona club was given an added gloss by a decent run in the UEFA Cup, and Cuco should be proud of what he achieved after Aguirre’s heroics at the helm were never likely to be repeated. A host of players have departed El Sadar, including Valdo, Raul Garcia, Soldado, Milosevic and Webo. However, replacements give cause for optimism and some excitement. Portillo and Pandiani could form a potent attack with Hugo Viana (finally having a crack at some regular football) and Medina (and exciting Mexican wide player) supplying the bullets, while the loan of Carlos Vela could prove a real coup. More of the same is expected, with improvement not out of the question.

Racing Santander: Marcelinho

Marcelinho was surely a candidate for coach of the season last term in guiding Recreativo to a frankly amazing 8th place, two above his new club. Miguel Portugal kept Racing clear of relegation troubles with relative ease last season, but saw it fit to return to Real Madrid in a coaching capacity. Zigic is a big loss (no pun intended), but Duscher stands out among what few new faces have arrived. Marcelinho’s stock has risen considerably after last season, and there is every reason to believe the coach, coupled with a squad well-versed in what it takes to compete in La Liga, should be OK this time out, though anything above mid-table would be a surprise.

Real Madrid: Bernd Schuster

Real Madrid have thrown down the gauntlet in way that you would expect of a team that has just missed out on the league championship, not won it. But it was a strange season, and even though Los Merenegues know they are champions and were undoubtedly buoyed by the way they pipped their hated rivals to the big prize, not even the Bernabeu hardcore would have been stupid enough to say they had a great team. That seems, on the face of it, likely to change after a surfeit of quality signings. Moreover, aesthetics are likely to improve too, with Bernd Schuster promising to play attractive football to the extent that is supposedly anathema to Fabio Capello. It better be both, or President Calderon will look a bit stupid, but what Real have done on the transfer market to date is enough to excite even the most reserved fan (and there aren’t really any of those in Spanish football!). Schuster has to succeed, or face the axe and a dramatic fall in his stock.

Recreativo: Victor Munoz

Recre have opted for a sturdy hand at the helm to cover Marcelinho’s departure. Munoz did well enough in his years at Zaragoza, and finds himself back in La Liga at a club that shocked everyone last year but, as is always the case in such instances, is in danger of the second season curse. Moreover, key forward Uche has gone along with Villarreal duo Cazorla and Arzo. Munoz’s experience and tactical acumen may be relied upon heavily to ensure the old club stay clear of trouble.

Sevilla: Juande Ramos

Sevilla, in many peoples eyes (including my own) could and simply should have won La Liga (just as Sociedad should have a few years back) last season. They played the best football, and were for the majority of the campaign the most consistent outfit. They stuttered repeatedly in the final third, as did everyone else at the top (which is why the title race went on so long), and, exciting as the run-in was, contributed to the general malaise of the 06/07 championship. Rumours over Ramos's departure (or at least the desire to) will not help, though the Dani Alves saga seems to be approaching closure. New signings are eye-catching without being jaw-dropping, but don’t e surprised if Ramos splashes the cash likely to reecived from Alves's sale in the coming week or so. If he does, Sevilla may improve on last season.

Valencia: Quique Flores

Flores had a tumultuous time last season, on and off the field, while injuries rose their ugly head and challenged squad depth, though he still achieved the minimum requirements of CL qualification. Los Che were short on striking options last season, and the arrival of Arizmendi (Depor) and, most of all, Serb Nikola Zigic from Racing should solve that particular problem. Alexis’s arrival to replace Argentine club stalwart Ayala is not without question marks, lowering as it does the experience levels in the Che back line, but the former Getafe man has the qualities to succeed. Recruitment is still on-going for a creative midfielder with Valencia looking thin in that area, and having already tried and failed to sign numerous big names of that ilk. If Flores gets the players he wants, Valencia will be better off than last season, though whether they have improved to the degree Barcelona and Real Madrid have remains questionable. Fans will claim such an overhaul was not needed. We'll soon find out.

Valladolid: Jose Mendilibar

As impressive as their promotion was from the Segunda, things are already looking a little ominous for yo-yo club Valladolid given the lack of experienced new blood. The squad is short on Liga experience. Moreover, Mendilibar did not have the best of times in his last Liga outing, quite irresponsibly being given the reigns (as inexperienced at that level as he was) at Bilbao and lasting only a matter of months, after some dreadful form. Let us hope for the sake of the local faithful that that experience has counted for something, because he will have to use all his tactical and motivational skills to get the team through the season safely.

Villarreal: Manuel Pellegrini

Most would agree El Submarino Amarillo should have been far more competitive last season, and suffered hugely from crippling injury problems before the season even started. Gonzalo Rodriguez, Nihat and Pires missed most or all of the season, while Riquelme was terribly off-colour. Forlan is clearly the most high profile loss, but Villarreal’s recruitment drive to date has been eye catching. Relying on John Dahl Tomasson to fill the Uruguayan’s boots is a bit much, but a partnership with Nihat (who, for the coach, must be like having a brand new player) could work well, while the acquisition of Guiseppe Rossi and most notably French starlet Rio Mavuba means there is every reason to be optimistic at El Madrigal this season. Villarreal noted the troubles endured by Pellegrini and stuck by him. This is his chance to repay them.

Zaragoza: Victor Fernandez

Los BLanquillos form stuttered towards the end of last season after a glittering start under the tutelage of Fernandez, who bossed one of the leagues most creative teams. Despite looking like potential CL material for a long time, in the end they only managed to scrape into the UEFA Cup. Roberto Ayala and Pavon are the replacements (the former, at 34, is very much short term) for outbound Gabriel Milito and Gerard Pique. The talented Ewerthon is also a notable loss, and not convincingly remedied by the acquisition of Milan misfit Ricardo Oliveira, who will have to find his form again. Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem's arrival on the other hand looks promising. More of the same is expected, with CL perhaps just beyond them yet againg, but if Fernandez can start well and carry the form a little further, then who knows.

John Rowlands - Goal.com