It´s a real possibility, in fact the trend & the level of play shown gives weight
to the idea that ATLETICO DE MADRID will not make Champions League
table positions this year. That in Sporting & Economic terms is a disaster for
the Club as the investments put in have not given the ROI (return on
investment) expected & damaged the Clubs prestige. Like any other Business
Unit (Football is a Business) &/or Company it must adjust to the reality &
either reassess staff, cut costs &/or sell assets to get its balance sheets in line.
(photo: AS)
to the idea that ATLETICO DE MADRID will not make Champions League
table positions this year. That in Sporting & Economic terms is a disaster for
the Club as the investments put in have not given the ROI (return on
investment) expected & damaged the Clubs prestige. Like any other Business
Unit (Football is a Business) &/or Company it must adjust to the reality &
either reassess staff, cut costs &/or sell assets to get its balance sheets in line.
(photo: AS)
Today’s sports daily “AS” looks at this scenario in detail & writes about what
these adjustments may look like if Atletico doesn’t finish in the Top 4 positions
of the Spanish League table. The obvious immediate effect is that its star
forward SERGIO AGUERO will leave with destination probably to Italy. His
contract release clause is 60M€ & that will compensate economically the Club
for its sporting failures, loss of Champions League income & sponsorship/TV
discounts. Along with the Argentine star it is also speculated that current
Captain MAXI RODRIGUEZ will also be allowed to make a move to Italy,
possibly joining Aguero at Inter Milan. The paper makes no mention of DIEGO
FORLAN, but SFS will & also puts the Uruguayan striker as a possible selling
piece with destiny to England.
There are other players who know beforehand, independently of the Champions
League factor, that they will not be at Atletico next season: Seitaridis,Maniche,
Luis García & Banega will say goodbye. Others have their future on the edge
at the Club like Pernia (Recreativo are interested),Leo Franco (hasn’t renewed
piece with destiny to England.
There are other players who know beforehand, independently of the Champions
League factor, that they will not be at Atletico next season: Seitaridis,Maniche,
Luis García & Banega will say goodbye. Others have their future on the edge
at the Club like Pernia (Recreativo are interested),Leo Franco (hasn’t renewed
his contract as yet),De las Cuevas,Heitinga (Club may consider offers) &
Ujfalusi,the latter has been included by SFS as in its opinion is not up the level
needed for Atletico. So as you can see it’s a major revolution if we take the
above to be true. So how will the 2009/ 2010 team look like then?
Firstly, the harsh economic times will bring a reduction in budget spending
from 120 – 60M€ (50% less) & that affects directly signings: good & cheap will
be the norm. Already the Club is thinking in calling back from loan JURADO
from Mallorca along with CLEBER. Other possibilities are Real Betis defender
JUANITO who would come free as his contract ends at Betis,PEDRO LEON
from Valladolid, GAMEZ & ELISEU from Malaga, plus various youngsters
from the junior levels (Sergio Marcos, Pacheco & Borja) could be called up to
the senior side. Lastly, the current Coach Abel would be told thanks, but no
thanks & the current Club Sporting Director Pitarch, responsible for signings
etc, has his days counted as well.
Many Atletico followers who read SFS maybe remembering the ex Coach
JAVIER AGUIRRE & the Clubs decision to sack half way through the
Ujfalusi,the latter has been included by SFS as in its opinion is not up the level
needed for Atletico. So as you can see it’s a major revolution if we take the
above to be true. So how will the 2009/ 2010 team look like then?
Firstly, the harsh economic times will bring a reduction in budget spending
from 120 – 60M€ (50% less) & that affects directly signings: good & cheap will
be the norm. Already the Club is thinking in calling back from loan JURADO
from Mallorca along with CLEBER. Other possibilities are Real Betis defender
JUANITO who would come free as his contract ends at Betis,PEDRO LEON
from Valladolid, GAMEZ & ELISEU from Malaga, plus various youngsters
from the junior levels (Sergio Marcos, Pacheco & Borja) could be called up to
the senior side. Lastly, the current Coach Abel would be told thanks, but no
thanks & the current Club Sporting Director Pitarch, responsible for signings
etc, has his days counted as well.
Many Atletico followers who read SFS maybe remembering the ex Coach
JAVIER AGUIRRE & the Clubs decision to sack half way through the
season. Is this the cause of the problem? With hindsight it’s very easy to point
the finger, what is clear is that the Club has a problem of “stability” & long
term vision & planning. The passion that is generated from the fans & within
the Clubs environment overtakes the need for a cold & clear head that Club
owners & Directives need to put in place & stay with under pressure. That is
difficult if you’re as passionate as your own fans. That pressure & the emotion
also spills onto the dressing rooms where the players also get “infected” &
thus it also affects their play on the field. Solution?
the finger, what is clear is that the Club has a problem of “stability” & long
term vision & planning. The passion that is generated from the fans & within
the Clubs environment overtakes the need for a cold & clear head that Club
owners & Directives need to put in place & stay with under pressure. That is
difficult if you’re as passionate as your own fans. That pressure & the emotion
also spills onto the dressing rooms where the players also get “infected” &
thus it also affects their play on the field. Solution?
SFS hasn’t any. All SFS knows is that it is that same blind to-the–death passion
that differentiates the Club from all others, that makes it special in Spanish &
World Football, that fills the stadium every game & that is the reason SFS
follows along with millions of others Atletico de Madrid. The above solutions
may not be the cure, but instead the end, it’s a paradox, Atletico finds its
followers & not vice-versa & like the Vampires, once bitten its forever. The
suffering comes with the deal, the package & the life long pledge.
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