Relegation followed by silence from City Football Group leaves angry Girona fans looking for answers
Every positive value has its price in negative terms.As Manchester City were busy celebrating a domestic treble at Wembley, one of the other clubs under the ownership of City Football Group were left searching for answers over a dramatic relegation.Answers that Girona fans feel have been anything but forthcoming.
Getty Images
3Girona star Portu rea reacts after missing a chance against Deportivo Alaves at Montilivi StadiumA small but strong core of those supporters have been with Girona long before City appeared in the picture. With the club when it first fell at the final hurdle in search of LaLiga promotion in 2013. Then again in 2015 and 2016.It was only when Girona had sealed ascent to the Spanish top flight in 2017 that City finally made their move and became co-owners, sparking optimism about investment and assistance in helping the Blanc-i-vermells to become an established LaLiga force. Optimism that ultimately proved to be wishful thinking at least to date.Girona finished 10th in the Spanish first division last season, comfortably extending their stay in the elite, but the majority of the key architects predated any opportunistic interest from outside forces.The principle of them was the coach, Pablo Machin, who arrived when Girona looked certain to be heading for relegation to the third tier in March 2014. Machin turned things around with exceptional skill, giving the Catalans a clear identity and a playing style that not only proved effective in earning promotion, but also in troubling top flight sides. Essential too was a key group of players who earned that ascent then made the leap up to LaLiga with admirable ease. Juanpe, Pere Pons, Alex Granell, Portu and Borja Garca were all essential in Gironas dream first season in La Liga, and all had been standout members of the team that finished second in the Segunda.Citys investment in the squad in the summer of 2018 was minimal, perhaps because it wasnt needed. But one day it would be, inevitably.And that is when the problems started. On the brink of their second season, it was clear to anyone paying attention that Girona would need reinforcements. Yet no replacement was signed for key player Pablo Maffeo, who City sold to Stuttgart. Nor left-back Johan Mojica, a long-term injury absentee following the World Cup.With main goalscorer Cristhian Stuani due to turn 32 during the current season, a support striker was surely needed. The answer? Seydou Doumbia, due to turn 31, well past his best, and who has worked out predictably badly.
Getty Images
3While Manchester City celebrate a domestic treble the Montilivi Stadium will now host Segunda Division football in SpainThe biggest decision of all to be taken was regarding the next coach. Machin, the charismatic architect of Gironas glory, constructor of their identity and someone who should have become their equivalent of Diego Simeone, departed for Sevilla after only one season in LaLiga.Was it simply a case of his ambition leading him elsewhere? Or did the strong-willed managers refusal to be a yes-man, not caving and playing the kind of football some people behind the scenes felt was necessary to show off the talents of Citys loan kids, also play its part?The coach who was brought in someone who does favour the possession game that is felt to be the desired platform for Citys pupils has been nothing short of a disaster.Eusebio Sacristn is one of footballs most pleasant people, but unfortunately the evidence suggests that he is not a particularly good coach. Certainly not one refined enough to keep a squad with the structural weaknesses Gironas had this season among Spains elite.While he was not handed an easy task, the veteran managers decision making has often been confusing. Attempting to completely change Gironas game from the Machin days before quickly giving up and reverting to a version of the old, before doing an about turn and chopping and changing some more, Eusebio took one of the teams with the clearest identities in LaLiga and turned them into a diluted, confused mess in nine months.
Getty Images
3Girona’s Spanish coach Eusebio Sacristan couldn’t save the club from relegationHis squad selection has been equally difficult to understand. Youngster Pedro Porro emerged from the youth team as an unexpectedly reliable solution at right-back, but was ostracised in the winter.Attacker Patrick Roberts showed glimpses of the kind of spark and ingenuity that Girona desperately needed with key player Portu struggling to find his form, but was dropped by Eusebio in the spring, his confidence shredded. By the time the final stretch of the season arrived it was clear where Eusebios reign was going.Yet still, there was no action. Silence. Absence. On Saturday, the outcome was mathematically sealed, Girona confirmed to be back in the second tier.The anger is palpable, and answers are wanted. Football is about emotions, and the fans, even if they dont own the club, at the minimum deserve the courtesy of the explanation they havent been given for months, Diari de Gironas Jordi Xargay fumed.Theyre still waiting.
MANCHESTER United may have Ole at the wheel - but if it hadn't been for Paul Pogba's nerve, they'd have driven down another blind alley. West Ham would have levelled it soon afterwards
Paul Ince believes Manchester United should not rush to appoint Ole
Brain injury charity Headway has demanded a UEFA investigation after Fabian Schar played the full 90 minutes of Switzerland's 2-0 win over Georgia, despite being "knocked out for a few seconds
Fabian Schar: Brain injury charity Headway calls for UEFA to
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle United: Gunners leapfrog Tottenham and Manchester United with victory over Magpies at Emirates Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 1, 2019 Aaron Ramsey helped Arsenal up to third in the Premier League by opening the scoring against Newcastle in their 2-0 win on Monday.
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle United: Gunners leapfrog Tottenham and
Lionel Messi will stop at nothing to get his 'beautiful cup' back and what we learned from Barcelona 3-0 Liv verdict Our man in Spain, Lee Roden, was at Camp Nou to witness a masterclass from the greatest footballer in the world
Lionel Messi will stop at nothing to get his 'beautiful cup
sportsalert.org/2019/05/02/lionel-messi-will-stop-at-nothing-to-get-his-beautiful-cup-back-and-what-we-learned-from-barcelona-3-0-liverpool/
Lionel Messi will stop at nothing to get his 'beautiful cup' back and what we learned from Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool. May 2, 2019 by admin 0 Comments
Lionel Messi will stop at nothing to get his 'beautiful cup
Former Liverpool team-mates Michael Owen and Jason McAteer clash during feisty England vs Ireland Star Sixes game. Jason McAteer was sent off during Sunday's Star Sixes event in Glasgow for
Jason McAteer sent off after kicking Michael Owen during Star
Manchester City kitman hilariously celebrates FA Cup victory over Watford in his underpants by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 19 May Manchester City certainly enjoyed becoming the first men's team in English history to win the domestic treble.
Manchester City kitman hilariously celebrates FA Cup victory
The new Arsenal away kit will get nostalgia going for many fans of the London club as PUMA does its take of the greatly popular 05/06 yellow Arsenal away shirt. Although some may remember the kit used in the lost Champions League final in 06, this yellow redesign will have many fans excited that look back fondly at the club's good times in
Fan tributes on football kits - Proven Quality
Amsterdam: A halftime visit to the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room by injured striker Harry Kane helped inspire his side's remarkable 3-2 victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Champions League: What Harry Kane did at half-time that
Chinese group Shandong Luneng are keen to complete a takeover at Bolton and want Sam Allardyce to make a return as boss, according to reports. Investors from the group are said to have been shown around the ground and are considering an offer to buy the League..
Chinese firm Shandong Luneng 'weighing up takeover bid' for
Cardiff City vs Everton Predictions: Everton line-up Everton had a blank gameweek at the weekend thanks to the rescheduling of their fixture against Manchester City. With Pep Guardiola's men
Cardiff City vs Everton: Score prediction, lineups, live
No comments:
Post a Comment