Village Idiot

I think Poch would be ideal. He knows the league, too. But apparently Spurs are not budging so Madrid is looking for other targets. Klopp was talked about but apparently they got rebuked, too. There really aren't many big managers available, and I reckon managing there after Zidane will be seen as a poisoned chalice by many. Pérez used to be huge fan of Wenger, but I'm not sure that would work.

No idea, but they seem to be having trouble getting somebody high-profile. And Pérez only does high-profile.

Madrid have inquired about Mourinho, according to a Spanish digital rag. Dude that runs it used to be the director of Marca so he has sources.

He was our twelfth player while Pep was here. Always would come in as a second half sub. Given that our midfield was Busquets, Xavi, and Iniesta it was no mean feat to be the fourth man.

Going back to his times at Barça, he really had a bad relationship with both Touré and Eto'o, but otoh he had a great relationship with Seydou Keita. Pep is a big personality and he's fallen out with many players, and he certainly can be a bit of a cunt, but I don't see a racist pattern.

Guy is raw and inconsistent (he's 23), but when he's on he's a scary sight on the wing. Pure pace and directness.

Friend of mine from Vigo says they're only selling for the amount of the release fee: €40m

This is what I'm thinking tbh. Think his laid back demeanour suits the big stars they tend to bring in. Pérez used to be a big fan of Wenger, but I don't think he'll go for him. I think Wenger's yesterday news, tbf.

I think Ronaldo will leave.

Lots of rumors going around that the replacement might be Guti. That would be hilarious Pochettino also being bandied about which would make much more sense. I'd hate it though!

We can only dream of winning the Champions League being described as a poor season Their cup and league campaigns have been remarkably poor. Had he not won the CL he'd been sacked. This way he gets to leave on top. I don’t think this is true at all. Based on everything I've read, Perez absolutely loved Zidane so doubt he'd have been sacked no matter what - this season at least. That said, VI is clearly more ITK than me so what do I know The "he'll be sacked/walk if he doesn't win the CL" rumor already happened during his first season. This year their domestic season has been really bad (worst league finish since the 1990s) and there were rumors swirling around Christmas. There's been long stretches of the season where the players really didn't seem to give a fuck, and they just turned it on for the CL. Imho, I think Zidane just doesn't want another year like that and he just wants to leave on his terms, and on top. Good on him.

We can only dream of winning the Champions League being described as a poor season Their cup and league campaigns have been remarkably poor. Had he not won the CL he'd been sacked. This way he gets to leave on top.

He's always been very good at combining steel with talent. An attractive manager he isn't, but he knows how to be effective. PSG job was a hiding to nothing, it's obvious that he was a figurehead in there. I just wonder how he will fit at Arsenal after Wenger. He sports a very different brand of football and I can see things going south if he doesn't come racing out of the blocks and fans/media get impatient.

Iniesta, alone on the Camp Nou pitch hours after the game had finished. https://imgur.com/a/elY54Tn Goosebumps.

Real Madrid's draw means that Atlético have secured 3rd place. That's 6 years on the trot finishing in the top 3, a club record, every single full season since Simeone took over.

Linked with Fernando Torres over at Marca, together with Benítez quotes about it. (it's just Marca asking Benítez about a possible interest and Rafa going with the generic "it would be great but it'd be very difficult to bring him here" quote)

Also, I get the feeling next season will be Simeone's last. Just a hunch, nothing to base it on.

Wow, really? He won the Spanish Supercup the year he joined, but that's a glorified friendly. Atlético were actually in a bit of a dry spell for the past years. Happy to see them win a trophy (as long as we don't compete in it...).

Yeah, yesterday was a really fun game. Dembelé was class, I hope he can build on that. Injuries have marred his season but when he's played regularly he's showed promise. At the end of the day he's assisted/scored 1 goal every 90 minutes he's been on the pitch. Two games to go and still unbeaten. I'd fucking love it if we became the first Spanish team to manage an unbeaten season. Team that came closer was Real Sociedad in the 1980s, with one defeat in the penultimate game of the season.

You need to change your avatar now. I'd say.

Yay! This deserves a nod of approval.

Sevilla sack Montella, sign Caparrós. That's about as day and night as it gets.

Should keep your powder dry for Messi imho.

And now his watch is ended.

Las Palmas president on search and capture after skipping an appointment with a judge that's investigating him for Social Security fraud I don't think it's possible to have more things going sideways in a season. I guess the stadium could sink under the sea or something.