2011/2012 Champions League Thread

[sadora]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

wonder who takes over

Eusebio Sacristán

Following in Barcelona's tradition of promoting from within, my guess is that Barcelona's B team coach, Eusebio Sacristan, would at least be considered. Just as Pep got his chance to make the jump from coaching the B team after Frank Rijaard had a disappointing season.
Barcelona's president has been quoted as saying that he hopes Pep is back managing next season and has already made him an offer. Pep on the other hand has said that he will make a decision within the next few days, and according to sources, some of his suitors include teams in England & Italy. One of the original rumors included a move to Chelsea, but after Di Matteo's performance in the CL, the Chelsea brass might be considering promoting Di Matteo as full time manager.
A formal announcement concerning Pep Guardiola's future with Barca is expected tomorrow.
Personally, I'm hoping to hear that he signs for at least one more season.

[sadora]

So it is confirmed, Pep will step down at the end of the season as Barca's manager and will be replaced by his assistant, Francesc "Tito" Vilanova.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...uits-barcelona

That passion so necessary to continue, so the players listen to you disappears after four years," he said. "You can only recover that by resting. It would have been a bad idea to continue. Perhaps we wouldn't have gone wrong but I had the perception it would. I could not run the risk that it would go wrong. It is my time to go.

[d_phaneuf]

makes sense they stay in house, I had heard Sid Lowe say that Luis Enrique might have a look but it's probably too soon for him at this point

[Locke]

As much as I loathe Barca, I totally understand what Pep is going through.

I coached for 5 years straight sometimes doing 2-3 teams at the same time, and there definitely is a burnout period. If you as a coach are burnt out you just cant inject that enthusiasm or motivation into your players and team and then you're not doing anyone any good.

However, he will be back. Maybe not with Barca though. Its a two-way street, sometimes players tire of the same voice delivering the message and it becomes time to replace a coach, but sometimes a coach tires of the same players and delivering the same message.

Not to mention, coaches have shelf-lives, they have to play cards sometimes that once they've been pulled out of the deck theres no putting them back and the players have seen it, and they know it.

[GirlySports]

If I were Argentina I'd pay a bazillion dollars for Guardiola for the 2014 World Cup.

[sadora]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

If I were Argentina I'd pay a bazillion dollars for Guardiola for the 2014 World Cup.

That would be pretty awesome. My old man keeps saying that the Spanish National team should look to sign him since Vicente del Bosque's contract is up after the Euro's. I would love to see either Pep or Del Bosque taking the reins in Argentina, something that sadly would probably would never happen.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

If I were Argentina I'd pay a bazillion dollars for Guardiola for the 2014 World Cup.

Thats far too smart a move, have you seen the meatheads that run that FA? Maradonna? I'm still laughing about that one.

[NBC]

^ Maradona...

[Locke]

What surprises me is that he didnt wait until the end of the season. Thats a bit disrespectful as hes effectively pulled the chute on the season, and while it was highly unlikely that Barca could catch up to Real, motivating them to the end is going to be tough seeing as the manager basically just quit.

To be fair though, Pep seems like the consummate professional and it probably wasnt his decision to do this now, its more likely he was asked the straight question and couldnt help but give the straight answer and then all the rest was just fallout.

[d_phaneuf]

thing he is still too young to coach a national side

he will take a year or two off and likely end up a big club in England

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Robben signs an extension with Bayern.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3275/...-bayern-munich

He can be a diva but he is also a talented player

[sadora]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Robben signs an extension with Bayern.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3275/...-bayern-munich

He can be a diva but he is also a talented player

"Diva" or "Diver"

all joking aside, the guy does have talent. Good on Bayern for holding on to him.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Not really champions league news but Bayern is trailing Dortmund 3-1 at the half in the domestic cup final

[M*A*S*H 4077]

It all comes down to tomorrow.

Bayern needs to attack, attack, attack. Especially with that back four that they will be going with. Alaba and Badstuber will be sorely missed. Go Bayern, go win it at home!

http://www1.skysports.com/news/12040/7763796/

[Cheerio]

What channel will this game be on, on Bell?

[Mightyfire89]

There's no way Bayern Munich doesn't win this.

#### Chelsea.

[NBC]

Are you sure about that? There was no way Chelsea could beat Barcelona over 2 legs either.

As much as I dislike anything that crooked Soviet touches, there's are real possibility CFC nick this 1-0.

[KTown]

The worst part is no matter what happens today is one of the two teams I hate the most will make it to champions league. Either the spurs or Chelsea. It's like picking which pile of crap is better.

[Imported_Aussie]

Both teams are hurt by suspensions, Terry, Ivanovic and Ramires being out is a blow to Chelsea, Alaba and Habtsuber a big blow to Bayern as well.
Even as a long time Chelsea fan, I say it is advantage Bayern in this game, but it will come down to which makeshift defence copes better.
Can Bosingwa stop Ribery?
Can Bayern's makeshift centreback pairing contain Drogba?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

What channel will this game be on, on Bell?

Been a whole since I had bell but sportsnet and fox are both showing it.