Lhe humiliating defeat in Lisbon this Wednesday has reactivated the process of change in the bench that had remained in stand by after the victory against Levante last weekend. Laporta knows he has to act on the Koeman affair, But the situation is not so simple. There is a clear certainty: Koeman is sentenced. If the Dutchman has always created many doubts in the president, the latest results and the staging of the team have corroborated his thesis.
Now the problem is the how and when because it will continue until the match against Atlético except for surprise. In the first place there is the sporting issue, which is who will be the substitute. Right now, all eyes are on Xavi Hernández, Andrea Pirlo and ‘Bob’ Martínez, although a new last minute option cannot be ruled out. Laporta has to decide on one of them and they are not exactly similar projects. However, apart from the sporting issue, the decision is also very political.
Without Koeman, the president loses his best umbrella. And with the one that is falling in Barcelona at all levels, being protected is very important. In this regard, deciding on Xavi Hernández would be the most logical thing to do. The former Barça player is a consensus coach of the barcelonismo. From the outset, it was the main asset of his great rival at the polls. His presence on the bench would be well received by all and if the bet went wrong, Laporta would not be the great responsible.
This situation changes with Pirlo and ‘Bob’ Martínez, especially in the case of the former. Would a personal bet from the president and if it fails here, everyone would look at a Laporta already totally unguarded. It is a very big risk that must be seen if the president wants to assume it. Because the situation of the team does not augur an immediate change in game and results.
The economic issue is also key. Kicking Koeman costs about 12 million euros. A fortune considering the state of the salary of the first team. And the Dutchman, after how they have treated him, will not forgive. And to that, we must add the file of the new technician and his assistants. Because of that salary cap, there won’t be much money to pay you for the first year. Another thing will be for the following.
And finally, there is the when. Laporta wonders if it’s worth it throw him now before Atlético. If it did, there would be no time for the new technician to arrive. Therefore, logic indicates that it is worth waiting for the break to arrive with 15 days without club competition. It would be a good time for a change. This is the idea that the president is considering right now.
Here the problem is in the Assembly of delegates that will take place on October 17. An assembly in which crucial economic and social issues will be debated. It was not intended to become a forum in which the future coach would be discussed. Laporta can take the replacement to the Assembly so that the discussion would be settled or let the sporting issue also take center stage. All these circumstances are what Laporta must analyze before making a decision. And in it he is.
