How to end the 2019/20 football season.

[ratedj]

Messi's going mate. I've no doubt about that. The question is, where?

Realistically speaking, if he does decide to leave then it's to City. It's the only project that will provide him with an opportunity to win immediately. I personally believe that Inter would be an extremely attrractive proposition, but a) it's debatable whether Inter could afford his wages, and b) Inter is probably a two-year project at best.

Messi needs a coach/environment that won't waste his remaining best years, whilst it seems that Pep can't win a CL without Messi. In essence, they both need each other. 

[Goldfinch]

"Barcelona sack manager after Bayern thrashing."

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[Blackpool Rock]

This has been the case for years, and it's the same in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. There are two options; you can purchase a 'stadium jersey' at £60/£65 (which is quite a bit of money in itself) or the authentic version, which is priced at £100. Also, it's the kit manufactures who determine the price of the kit, not the clubs. There used to be a rule in place where clubs would have to retain the same kit for two years, and I do think that this needs to be reintroduced.

That sort of makes sense that the kit manufacturer sets the price; i've always wondered why the Nike stuff seemed to cost more than some of the others.
I know they did do something about trying to keep the same kit for a couple of years as it was getting stupid, all the kids want the "Latest" kit to avoid being singled out and then pester power means cash strapped parents end up forking out regardless.

I believe it was man Utd around 20 years ago who kept changing their kit like a whores knickers, home kit; away kit; change away kit; FA cup kit (home and away); league cup kit (home and away); European kit (home and away) etc etc etc then change them all next season and I believe even part way through too, anyone remember the grey one that Fergie claimed meant the players couldn't see each other 
Didn't stop their players playing for England who at the time had a grey kit 

[Blackpool Rock]

"Barcelona sack manager after Bayern thrashing."

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Replaced by Ronald Koeman on a 2 year deal though I doubt he will make a full season, not sure his managerial career and stats are actually very good really

[Blackpool Rock]

It's the 1st of the Champions League semi finals tonight and I see it's also the 1st round qualifying for next years CL too 

[CoolTiger]

It's the 1st of the Champions League semi finals tonight and I see it's also the 1st round qualifying for next years CL too 

Strange times.

Wolves were in Europa league for a whopping 383 days 

[mr.bluesky]

Replaced by Ronald Koeman on a 2 year deal though I doubt he will make a full season, not sure his managerial career and stats are actually very good really

Played for Barca for 6 years so I guess they went for the safe option.

[mr.bluesky]

That sort of makes sense that the kit manufacturer sets the price; i've always wondered why the Nike stuff seemed to cost more than some of the others.
I know they did do something about trying to keep the same kit for a couple of years as it was getting stupid, all the kids want the "Latest" kit to avoid being singled out and then pester power means cash strapped parents end up forking out regardless.

I believe it was man Utd around 20 years ago who kept changing their kit like a whores knickers, home kit; away kit; change away kit; FA cup kit (home and away); league cup kit (home and away); European kit (home and away) etc etc etc then change them all next season and I believe even part way through too, anyone remember the grey one that Fergie claimed meant the players couldn't see each other 
Didn't stop their players playing for England who at the time had a grey kit 

They are probably churned out by the thousands in some Indonesian or Taiwan sweat shop for a couple of quid then sold for a hundred quid to some mugs who buy the new shirt every season.

[WARSZAWA16]

Premier League fixtures to be released tomorow. Championship, Leagues 1 & 2 fixtures to be released on Friday:

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[ratedj]

That sort of makes sense that the kit manufacturer sets the price; i've always wondered why the Nike stuff seemed to cost more than some of the others.
I know they did do something about trying to keep the same kit for a couple of years as it was getting stupid, all the kids want the "Latest" kit to avoid being singled out and then pester power means cash strapped parents end up forking out regardless.

I believe it was man Utd around 20 years ago who kept changing their kit like a whores knickers, home kit; away kit; change away kit; FA cup kit (home and away); league cup kit (home and away); European kit (home and away) etc etc etc then change them all next season and I believe even part way through too, anyone remember the grey one that Fergie claimed meant the players couldn't see each other 
Didn't stop their players playing for England who at the time had a grey kit 

Whilst this portion might have been slightly exaggerated lol, you are right when you mention that United were the first English club to introduce a Champions League kit. As for that famous grey kit, at the time only Fergie would have had the audacity to infer that the players couldn't see each other!!

[Blackpool Rock]

Played for Barca for 6 years so I guess they went for the safe option.

Can't find it now but there was a BBC sport article which basically said Pochettino was more qualified but wouldn't get the job as he had previously played for or been involved with a rival club whereas Koeman as you say played and had success with Barca

[ratedj]

Can't find it now but there was a BBC sport article which basically said Pochettino was more qualified but wouldn't get the job as he had previously played for or been involved with a rival club whereas Koeman as you say played and had success with Barca

Pochettino is actually a much better suit for the club, as his Philosophy is more in tune with Barca's DNA, but the issue is that he's previously coached Espanyol and had voiced that he could not coach Barca due to his prior connection with their city rivals. However, as is always the case in football, things change. Some directors actually preferred Poch, though others were unwilling to voice their approval.

[mr.bluesky]

Pochettino is actually a much better suit for the club, as his Philosophy is more in tune with Barca's DNA, but the issue is that he's previously coached Espanyol and had voiced that he could not coach Barca due to his prior connection with their city rivals. However, as is always the case in football, things change. Some directors actually preferred Poch, though others were unwilling to voice their approval.

Their paths would not have crossed anyway as Espanyol were relagated from la liga 

[martini2429]

Replaced by Ronald Koeman on a 2 year deal though I doubt he will make a full season, not sure his managerial career and stats are actually very good really

The guy expected to win the election for Barcelona President in March wants Xavi as the Manager so expect to see Koeman depart sometime towards the end of this coming season

 

[Goldfinch]

Premier League fixtures to be released tomorow. Championship, Leagues 1 & 2 fixtures to be released on Friday:

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Liverpool to face Leeds in opening games.

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[Goldfinch]

Lionel Messi hands in Barcelona transfer request

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[ratedj]

Lionel Messi hands in Barcelona transfer request

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Excuse the pun, but this looks like it will get messy!

[Goldfinch]

Excuse the pun, but this looks like it will get messy!

[ratedj]

Personally, I am of the opinion that it's much more likely that Bartemou is forced out rather than Messi leaves. Even if Messi is able to leave minus a transfer fee his wages are just so astronomical.

[martini2429]

Lionel Messi hands in Barcelona transfer request

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Apparently there are only 3 other clubs who could afford to have him, Man City, PSG & Inter Milan, he earns £2m per week (£1m in wages and £1m in add ons and other bonuses, image rights etc)

 

[Londonpunter30]

Shame he isn’t showing more loyalty to the club he’s been with since 13.  They even paid for hormone therapy for him when he was a kid.

2m a week and still got done for tax

[Blackpool Rock]

Shame he isn’t showing more loyalty to the club he’s been with since 13.  They even paid for hormone therapy for him when he was a kid.

2m a week and still got done for tax

But he's been there about 18 years so hardly jumping ship prematurely 

[Londonpunter30]

As soon as the going gets tough he’s out.  Maybe he could lower his wages and stay to help build a new team around him

[Gordon Bennett]

As soon as the going gets tough he’s out.  Maybe he could lower his wages and stay to help build a new team around him

I think you're flogging a dead horse if you're trying to paint him as a mercenary or being disloyal.

[Blackpool Rock]

I think you're flogging a dead horse if you're trying to paint him as a mercenary or being disloyal.

Yeah they didn't win anything in 13/14 I believe but he stayed.

Years ago players often played for the same club man and boy until they retired or at least only played for a handful of clubs however with big money and transfers that's all changed so Messi being there for so long is unusual
OK so Messi has been paid handsomely for his time at Barca however he has been loyal and look at the titles and trophies he's helped them win along with attracting other top players to the club
Barca have a major rebuilding program that is needed and with a new Manager who is tipped to be replaced before the end of the season it doesn't exactly inspire confidence, perhaps if Pep was going back there he would stay but Koeman 

He hasn't got many seasons left at the top level so why not move on, i've been surprised he hasn't come to the prem before

[ratedj]

Yeah they didn't win anything in 13/14 I believe but he stayed.

Years ago players often played for the same club man and boy until they retired or at least only played for a handful of clubs however with big money and transfers that's all changed so Messi being there for so long is unusual
OK so Messi has been paid handsomely for his time at Barca however he has been loyal and look at the titles and trophies he's helped them win along with attracting other top players to the club
Barca have a major rebuilding program that is needed and with a new Manager who is tipped to be replaced before the end of the season it doesn't exactly inspire confidence, perhaps if Pep was going back there he would stay but Koeman 

He hasn't got many seasons left at the top level so why not move on, i've been surprised he hasn't come to the prem before

Jean-Marc Bosman changed the landscape for player contracts.

[ratedj]

Shame he isn’t showing more loyalty to the club he’s been with since 13.  They even paid for hormone therapy for him when he was a kid.

2m a week and still got done for tax

Loyalty works both ways, especially when it comes to football. Loyalty is not up for debate here. An example, it's been alleged that a number of Barca players, including Luis Suárez (third on the club's all-time record goalscorers list) have been informed that they have no future at the club. Where's the loyalty there? 

How do you keep Messi? You recruit well. The downward sprial commenced the moment they allowed Neymar to leave. There are deep-rooted issues at the club. If anything, the easiest option would be for Messi to remain at the club and continue to collect his astronomical wages, but yet that hunger and desire for success remains. It's a shame that it seems that the relationship will end as appears likely, as just with CR7, Messi has earned the right to dictate when he leaves the club.