Racing de Santander Kits 2011-2012

Dear God where to start? this looks really amateur-ish, like those kits the young kids get to play football in a small town's plaza.

The first time I heard about the brand SLAM and the last I wish to see from them.



The material looks cheap and the green doesn't look as bright as it should, the shorts are badly made and the shield in the socks is not well embroidered.



The second kit keeps with the trend of the ugly colors and the black collar looks like those fake bowties kids get when they wear a tuxedo for the first time, the socks are from a different material from the first kit.



The third kit is better because well, it's hard to screw up with an all black ensemble, I don't like how the sponsor's name goes in a white background, in the other two it blends with the shirt, in here it looks as if this is a last minute printing.



This is one of the goalkeepers' kits, the other three are green, fuchsia and blue.
Not bad compared to the field players kits but I still think the fabric looks too cheap.

I know Racing isn't a powerful team and that they are not in the best economic situation but if they wanted they could have gotten someone like JOMA or Lotto or anything that isn't too big, this is just sad and they will look bad next to many of the teams in la Liga.

Thoughts?

2011 Gold Cup Final - Remember the Alamo?

The last time that Mexico faced the USA in Los Angeles was in 2001. It was Landon Donovan’s debut and the score ended up being 2-0 in favor of the USA. I was there and it was a great day for American soccer. The US Men’s National team generally doesn’t like to play in Los Angeles, because of the large immigrant population who are mad about soccer and anyone but the US. If you go a Chile vs USA, there are more Chilenos. If you go to a Sweden vs USA, there are more Swedes. LA is a melting pot and soccer is still a niche sport in this country. Sure a lot of people support the LA Galaxy and such, but a lot of those Americans do not support the US Men’s National team. That’s just the way it is.

So knowing the fact that we were going to be in the minority sitting with 90,000 Mexico fans, was not going to be a problem for us. We wanted to support the red, white, and blue in hostile territory. Concacaf decided to for financial reasons to hold the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, right in my back yard, and I was ready for this adventure. This would be my second time watching the USMNT live, up close and personal in June 2011. As an added benefit I was excited to see La Liga’s Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña), Giovani Dos Santos (ex-Racing Santander), Hector Moreno (now at Espanyol), Rafa Marquez (ex-Barçelona), and Gerardo Torrado (ex-Sevilla & ex-Racing). While both Efrain Juarez and Pablo Barrera are rumored to being going to Real Zaragoza.

The tailgating was great. The atmosphere was intense and impressive. 95% Mexico fans versus 5% USA fans was my estimate. We did not encounter any problems for the most part. Both the Mexican players and fans were shocked that the USMNT pocketed two early goals. Both goals were very lucky opportunities to be fair. The small amount of USA fans went crazy in celebrations. The stadium was silent. But it was only matter of time that a huge comeback from Mexico was due. Guardado, Giovani and Barrera attacked the weak left side of the USA and were unrelenting and punishing in their methods. The Mexico fans were ecstatic and celebrated with a crazy frenzy. The Rose Bowl became a mini Azteca. The beer spilled on our heads. (At least it was not urine). We were taunted by the surrounding Mexican fans with jeers of “USA, I can’t hear you”, “USA, I can’t see you” and “Boring Boring USA football”. It really upset me and struck a chord during the game, but now I can look back and just laugh in hindsight and realize that’s football.

We felt humiliated, pissed off, and ready to fire Bob Bradley, but at the end of the day I realized that Mexico was and is the better team. The fruits of the U17 golden generation, has finally arrived. But at least I wasn’t afraid to come out and support my team in the good and the bad, fully aware that we are the underdog and the minority at the stadium. Unfortunately, I don’t think that we will be seeing the USMNT in SoCal in the near future.


See more photos from the pre-game atmosphere and training at our flickr page. or forza futbol facebook page.

Marcelino new Sevilla FC coach

As expected, former Recreativo de Huelva, Sporting de Gijon, Real Zaragoza coach Marcelino Garcia Toral will sign with Sevilla for one year with an option for a second year beyond that if he meets certain criteria, a third place berth and an automatic Champions League place and such, replacing departing coach Gregorio Manzano. His current club Racing Santander are none-too happy. President Pernia tried to block the signing stating that he has a contract and finished the season with every intention of finishing that signed contract; he asked to retain loanee Giovanni Do Santos for that matter so he was clear about his future at Santander.

I can see why some would call him a mercenary. He is bailing the Racing ship just as his leadership at the helm would help them the most. He saved them from relegation and the players played hard for him despite the turmoil that management have sent the club through. Their Indian owner Ali-Syed though, has failed to live up to his promises, neglecting to pay players and invest in the infrastructure of the club, and this Marcelino story is just adding insult to injury for the players and supporters who kept the faith through one of the most difficult periods in Racing history.

That said, I have to side with Marcelino in this story. He states: "The only culpable one is Alí." He says that he was promised a project to fight for European competitions, and it hasn't turned out that way. "I had to take the Sevilla job when it came around, because who knows if that sort of opportunity ever comes around again." He signed a contract with certain stipulations and the club have failed. The contract is void. He'll have to pay to be let loose and he'll have for the first time an opportunity to bring his coaching acumen to a large club in La Liga and for the first time think of titles and trophies.

La Lambretta Radio: La Liga Bilingual Podcast #7

Roundtable guests today: The man at the controls, Miami Sound Machine aka Edu, Real Valladolid fan boy aka Eugenio, and La Jefa aka resident Malagueña, Inma, from La Lambretta Radio de España. La Lambrettinos are joined by Villarreal groguet Ravi aka @aupasubmarino now sleepless in Seattle, el Juez Jose aka Sportinguista Judge Joe, living in Madrid, and yours truly, Forza Futbol's very own, Elisa, to debate and discuss Spanish football.


Some of today's highlights:

o Saturday's relegation battles: where Malaga rocked Atletico, Racing striked back, Getafe showed they are not dead, and Sporting brought Depor to tears.
o We said adios to Almeria and Hercules.
o We pondered whether Xabi Prieto is a one club man?
o And we consoled Ravi as he recalled the Europa League match.

Plus much, much more.


A great way to learn Spanish or English on the topics we know and love!


Listen below, on itunes, ivoox or here.


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Forza Futbol & La Lambretta Radio - Spanish Football Bilingual Podcast no 3

Today, Edu from La Lambretta Radio, el Doctor Julio from Santander, and yours truly Elisa talk about the following topics:

o Relegation battle and remaining fixtures
o Edu's trip to Madrid to see Sporting v Real Madrid with Inma
o Where should Fernando Llorente play?
o Is it fair that B teams cannot get promoted to Primera division?
o The Marcellino revolution at Racing Santander
o Liga Adelante


and much more.

A great way to learn Spanish or English on the topics we love!

Listen below, on itunes, ivoox or here.


Ir a descargar

FORZA FUTBOL on LaLambrettaRadio Bilingual La Liga Podcast no 1a & 1b

We had the pleasure of doing a LIVE bilingual Internet Radio show on La Liga today with our friend Edu Pérez Suárez from La Lambretta Radio.

Topics covered:

o Live commentary on the March 20th La Liga early fixtures of Jornada 29
o Chatting about the historic potential El Clásico guantlet - 4 games in 3 weeks
o Discussing the exciting relegation battle that covers half the La Liga table.

The podcast is for English learners and Spanish learners. We hope to do more of this including roundtables in the near future.


You can also find LaLambrettaRadio and our bilingual podcasts at their site and on itunes. Enjoy!

PART 1~
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PART 2~
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P.S.

Some of the Lambrettinas having a great time at the Malaga game. I think the sheik with the suitcase has some influence over the players :P.





Holy Crap the Sheik made the big time on El Dia Despues! Awesome!

Racing Santander: A House of Cards?

Try this link. It seems to be another in a line of wikileaks type whistle-blower sites but the difference here is that the prime subject of their investigations is Western Gulf Advisory or WGA, which is important here because WGA's head honcho is Ahsan Ali Syed who owns Racing Santander.

According to wikifrauds, WGA has been perpetrating a scam where prospective clients take out huge loans, they pay huge fees up front, and the loans never materialize. If a refund comes through it is often because WGA has moved onto the next client. It's a sucker's game, but it is in their estimation that over 40 million dollars have been scammed from companies in Australia and New Zealand. Reports are, mainly coming from Australian newspapers, that the local authorities are finishing up an investigation and about to bring up charges on the new head of Racing Santander who may have used part of these Ponzi-scheme type investments to buy into Racing.

The Australian authorities have countered that there is no investigation and no indictments are pending. Ahsan Ali Syed is condemning the reports as false, as expected, but is anyone worried that this could all fall apart so quickly? The Cantabrian local government apparently isn't. Marca had an interview with Cantabrian President Miguel Angel Revilla who supported Ali-Syed  whole-heartedly: "Ali Syed, to date, has asked for nothing and has only brought money, which in that case I hope many more like Ali Syed come to Cantabria. We continue to be very much with Ali-Syed. He has invested 7 million euros and he is complying which is also important." Really? Aren't they at all concerned where the money came from? Apparently Blackburn Rovers were concerned about it enough that they did not approve his bid last year to buy the English club.

I hope it's true that everything is on the up and up. The Spanish league deserves good, honest foreign investment, but it seems that instead we get this: a house of very unstable cards, supported with the same sort of funding that blew-up the world-wide financial markets in 2008 in the first place. I'd like to think this will all blow away, but I'm not hopeful.

LA LIGA Team of Round 24

The relegation battle continues, fixture congestion ensues. It's the business time of the season and only 17 goals this past weekend in the Spanish league. Osasuna win with a festival of goals? What the heck is going on?


GOAL KEEPER: DANI ARANZUBIA (DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA)

The Basque shot stopper made some incredible saves against Alméria, but what earned the player the accolades this week, is the 95th minute power header a la Fernando Llorente to equalize. A golden point for Baby Depor. Gutsy.


RIGHT BACK: DANI ALVES (FC BARCELONA)

Alves constantly beated Athletic's Koikili and reminded us how dangerous he could be as a playmaker from the right. Two assists for the samba crack. Sublime.


CENTER BACK: RIKKI CARVALHO (REAL MADRID)

He can play with Pepe, he can play with Albiol. The versatile veteran was solid in the back and eked out a goal from a set piece to seize the game against Levante. Reliable.


CENTER BACK; ALBERTO BOTIA (SPORTING GIJON)

The young ex La Masia product played a near perfect game, to keep out the fire power of Aduriz, Mata, and Soldado. His positioning was key. Impressive.


LEFT BACK: ALBERTO DE LA BELLA (REAL SOCIEDAD)

Solid on the left, he neutralized the counter attack and wing play of Mallorca admist the rain, wind and cold. Formidable.


RIGHT MIDFIELD : GIOVANI DOS SANTOS (RACING SANTANDER)

Only his second game and Dos Santos has become somewhat of a super sub. His velocity and danger on the counter attack earned a penalty and a disallowed goal (which was legal to me). Promising.


CENTER MIDFIELD: JAVI MARTINEZ (ATHLETIC BILBAO)

Even though the Basque team failed to win, they played well against the league leaders. The backline was sturdy and Javi Martinez was instrumental in the midfield, stealing balls, tackling, and allowing very little space and time on the ball. Courageous.


CENTER MIDFIELD: IVAN RAKITIC (SEVILLA)

The recent arrival has finally put on his shooting boots and is starting to see eye to eye with his teammates. The pace and style of Sevilla, suits him well. The Croat's combination play between Negredo, Fabiano, and Navas was impressive and resulted in the game winning goal. Trajectory.


LEFT MIDFIELD: JAVAD NEKOUNAM (OSASUNA)

The arrival of new coach Mendilibar has really ignited los rojillos, particularly Iranian International Neko. The midfielder netted a brace and initiated the goal fest. Heroic.


CENTER FORWARD: LIONEL MESSI (FC BARCELONA)

Athletic took the game to the blaugrana at the Camp Nou and made it extremely difficult to break them down. As the game progressed, it looked like Barça might split the points with Bilbo, which would put them only 3 points ahead of El Madrid. La Pulga pulled threw with an incredibly important game winner. Stellar.


CENTER FORWARD: SERGIO AGUERO (ATLETICO MADRID)

A very even match, that could have gone either way. Aguero willed his team back into the game with an individual piece of brilliance. Dynamic.

VIDEO: New Racing Santander Owner Celebrates in El Palco!

10 men Racing Santander beats the mighty Sevilla 3-2 in the 90th minute, with a last gasp 40 yard monster goal! New Owner, Ali Syed erupts and the VIP seats go wild!

Ok, why is this such a big deal? Well, tradition is that the Owners, Presidents and powers that be, are required to sit together in el Palco or VIP seats and watch the game. They are supposed to show respect and discretion and not celebrate or make gestures when their team scores or concedes. But, at last Spanish football is starting to change and morph into something new. Especially with the emergence of foreign investment.

I actually enjoyed watching Ali Syed celebrate and party like there is no tomorrow. Ha Ha! the Sevilla officials didn't look very pleased especially Del Nido. But look at the wonderful reception that Ali Syed receives afterwards. The new owner is showered with a lot of love from the fans and becomes a bit of the human president/celebrity. All good, in my opinion. Enjoy!



PS - I found the house VIDEO version - so hilarious- check it out!

Racing Santander sack their Manager

Miguel Angel Portugal must have heard the whispers. The new owner needed a new coach. Ignore the fact that Portugal had been in the upper echelons of Real Madrid management and knew the Spanish league like the back of his hand. It didn't matter. The club had gone winless in seven matches. They are a point above relegation, and so the new owner needed to make a public splash and so today the embattled tactician was sacked.

Reports are stating that former Racing manager Marcelino Garcia Toral is the front runner for the position. It's a top-tier job all of a sudden and the higher echelon managers are going to give it a whirl, or you would think, Marcelino was considered to be one of the brighter minds in world football just three years ago, but has anyone mentioned the fact that Rafa Benitez would be perfect with a blank check-book and an eye for talent?

It may not be the sort of job that instantly enamors, but this could the start of a much brighter and competitive league. Hopefully they decide on the right leader.

A Ransom for Racing Santander

Last week the Spanish papers were following a story that saw Racing President Francisco Pernia was in Bahrain negotiating with the business interests of an Indian financier named Ahsan Ali-Syed for the take-over of the Cantabrian club. This was the same businessman who failed in his attempt last year to secure a bid for the sale of Blackburn Rovers from the family of the late Jack Walker.

The effort to acquire one of the oldest clubs in England was successfully blocked, but Ali-Syed's purchase of Racing Santander has seen very little resistance. In cash strapped Spain, where everyone wants a Malaga marvel of their own, a magic bullet to shoot-through the economic constraints that affect every Spanish club, there are few people questioning whether this a Manchester City miracle or a Portsmouth mishap.

There is plenty to evaluate. He was born, or so he claims, in Bhongir, India to a rich, agricultural family and left at the age of 16 to make his fortune in investments, consulting with the rich and the royalty of the world. He states that his personal assets are in the range of 3.0 to 3.5 billion dollars and that he plays a role in over 133 companies world-wide. The BBC investigated him last year and found that much of it just wasn't true. No one in the regional government in India seems to have heard of him, no one in his hometown knows who he is, and his wealth seems to be built on a foundation of sand.

According to the BBC, for the past decade Syed has apparently struggled with solvency, has taken over companies that he has then run into the ground, dissolving their assets without paying returns on them, and has moved on to the next investment without punishment. He is being investigated in the UK, Canada, as well as in Bahrain for unpaid rent, unpaid taxes, and penalties accrued in financial markets amongst a litany of other damages.

I realize that Spain is hurting as are its football clubs. The world-wide financial crisis has hit them hard, and it would be crazy to forgo a helping hand, but it is often in dire financial times when the sharks are out because they smell blood in the water. There are real assets in Spanish football, especially at Racing Santander; the history, the supporters, and their collective memory are as valuable as the steel, mortar and concrete that built the Sardinero. There is a permanence there certainly, going back generations, but ask all those fans of clubs that were in the Primera in the last 30 years that were saddled with incompetent management, what of their club? What of their memories?

It's not just a club like Real Betis, who have struggled in Segunda over the last few years, or yo-yo clubs Numancia and Recreativo de Huelva, but clubs like Logrones, Burgos, Merida, Extremadura and Compostela who were once Primera clubs themselves but through financial mismanagement fell into a pit that they have never come back from. Some are struggling in the lower leagues, others have folded and have been replaced by other local clubs with similar names, and others still have disappeared into memory. Think of their supporters who followed them down the Spanish football pyramid.

Are Racing too big to follow suit? Maybe, but all it takes is a bad chairman or unresponsive fans to see them tumble.

Best XI of Jornada 17 in La Liga

Spanish Football returned to our HDTVs, computers, and local stadiums. Here is my list of top performers from the first round of games in 2011.


Goal Keeper:

RCD Mallorca's Dudu Aouate easily saved and contained all of Hércules shots on goal. Consistent and solid, day in and day out.


Backline:

With Messi out, Dani Alves took over as provider, and tracked back to keep out a very difficult Levante. Two assists, what can you say. He owned Del Horno.

Some people call Málaga's Weligton a cheat, a hard man, and a pain in the a**. This past weekend he was solid defensively, scored a goal and was a critical piece of the 6 point game against Sporting Gijón in Asturias.


On loan from FC Barçelona, Racing Santander's Henrique was a wall in the backline. He was instrumental in keeping Kun Aguero & company away from Toño's goal. The kid is only 24 years old and has a lot of potential.


Midfield:

Valencia's Juanín Mata lifted this team on his back after Los Che was harshly taken down to 10 men. He lead attack after attack until lady luck intervened with an offside goal. But well what do they say, if it's only offside, if the ref calls it.

The biggest signing of the winter transfer market for Sevilla is the return of Jesus Navas. The quicksilver winger just brings so much pace and danger to the team. He created multiple chances, including the game winning goal. Welcome back Jesuscito.

The unsung destroyer, ball stealer, and Villarreal's king of the midfield, Bruno Soriano is the heir apparent to Marcos Senna.

Is he a winger or a support striker? I'm not sure even he knows, but he will need to continue his versatility throughout the second half of the season. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was decisive and clinical against a a tough to beat Getafe.


Strikers:

Named after a renowned 7th century cleric from Zaragoza, Braulio appeared out of nowhere in stoppage time to earn only the second win for los maños. That said, Javier Aguirre's men are looking hopeful.

The often forgotten striker from Asturias has awaken at the perfect time for Deportivo La Coruña. Adrian is on a bit of a streak now and had a solid game in San Mames.

No Messi, no problem, never fear, Pedro's here to save the day. Barça started flat, so Pedro took the bull by the horns, along with the aforementioned Alves, and with an individual piece of brilliance and clinical finishing. Pedro's star just keeps rising.



Aouate

Dani Alves - Henrique - Weligton

Navas - Bruno - Mata - Ronaldo

Pedro - Braulio - Adrian

Spanish Referee pulls a Graham Poll

Does Racing Santaner's Colsa and Kennedy lookalike? Check out the video below as referee Alvarez Izquierdo cards Racing Santander's Kennedy twice in the Round 10 game at Anoeta against Real Sociedad. The ref forgets to red card the player, cautions another player for mouthing off, and then apparently recalls that he forgot something and cautions a different Racing player,Colsa for the hand ball. Confused? Nuts.

Sergio Canales vs Sevilla

Racing Santander Preview

Coach: Juan Carlos Mandiá, ex-coach of Hercules and Real Madrid youth team coach
Stadium: El Sardinero, Capacity (22,500)
Region: Cantabria
Nickname: Racinguistas (Racing-followers), Verdiblancos (Green-whites) , Montañeses (Mountain dwellers),
Derby: Real Madrid
Sponsor: SLAM Advanced Technology Sportswear
Kit Description: Home: A rather plain white SLAM shirt with black trim and green half sleeves and black shorts with green socks. Away: A green and white half-panel shirt with green and black half-panel shorts and one green sock and one black sock. Basically the right side of the kit is green and the left side black. Third: A blue and red half panel shirt with white socks and shorts.
History: It's official name is Real Racing Club de Santander and it was founded on the 23rd of February of 1923 starting at first in the regional leagues and being promoted to the first division 6 years later. Since then they have spent 41 years in the Spanish First Division with their greatest year ending as runners-up in 1930-1931. The club play in the coastal region of Santander called El Sardinero which is why the stadium is named that way. El Sardinero means the sardine. It is the 14th most supported club in Spain but the one with the largest support from the region of Cantabria.
Trophy Room:
* Primera Runners Up: 1931
* Copa del Rey: Semifinals 2008

Famous Former Players: Felipe Melo, Yossi Benayoun, Gerardo Torrado, Francisco Gento, Nikola Zigic, Olof Mellberg,
Main Story from last year:  After losing coach Marcelino Garcia Toral on the last day of the season, the season could be characterized as solid if not flashy. They were compact and defensive minded to a fault I'd say, but they were able to keep their goal differential on the positive side (+1) and they did well away from Cantabria where they played more defensively, had more clean sheets, but scored less often. After a slow start, falling into the relegation zone after the first month of the season, Racing were able to climb up as much as 9th in December before falling to 12th overall.

Transfers: IN: Mandía - manager (Hércules), Sarmiento (Xerez - loan period ended), Sepsi (Benfica - loan period renewed), Arana (Castellón), Crespo (Sevilla - one year loan), Morris (Panathinaikos - one year loan), Marc Torrejón (Espanyol), Pape Diop (Nàstic), Geijo (Levante), Luis García (Atlético Madrid). OUT: Muñiz - manager (Málaga), Garay (Real Madrid - loan period ended), Jonathan Pereira (Villarreal - loan period ended), Valera (Atlético Madrid - loan period ended), Luccin (Zaragoza - loan period ended), Zigic (Valencia - loan period ended), Gonçalves (Vitoria Guimaraes - one year loan), Marcano (Villarreal), Luis Fernández (contract ended)

Squad Overview: The prevailing wisdom is that Racing are a little older and will continue their slide, but they've hired a good young coach in Mandia who guided little Hercules from Alicante to within an inch of promotion for a club who have spent only one season out of the last 24 in the top flight. Pedro Munitis is back to annoy, and Tchite and Serrano are back as well, but Nikola Zigic who did so well after his return to Racing has gone back to Valencia to await either a call up by Unai Emery at Valencia or a late move to a Premier League club. Of the new signings Luis Garcia who drinks sangria at Anfield will get a chance, older players always do, but one wonders how much he still has left if he hasn't impressed for any of the clubs he has played for since leaving Rafa Benitez's side.

Prediction: Treading water: 12th

Napoli Will Play Racing Santander

Napoli will host Racing Santander of Spain in a second friendly at the San Paolo on August 11.
Napoli had originally been scheduled to play West Ham in London on July 8 But that match has been canceled due to the recent swine flu outbreak in England.

Il Napoli giochera un amichevole con gli Spagnoli del Racing Santander l'11 Agosto al San Paolo sara il secondo amichevole in casa.
Il Napoli doveva andare a Londra l'8 Agosto per giocare col West Ham, ma la partita non si gioca, causa la malatia del l'influenza suina che si e verificata recentemente in Inghilterra.

Welcome Aboard, Watch Out for the Door on Your Way Out

Yes it's time to review the latest slate of suckers, no I mean Managers in La Liga for the 2008-9 Season. Managers can't win for losing. Yes they get paid the big bucks, but they get all the blame from the fans, players, staff management and press. This time around there are only 4 Foreign Managers in the Primera, very strange? (Schuster, Pellegrini, Aguirre and Kresic) Why the sudden decrease? That means 16 Spanish Managers. Is this the Golden Age of Managers, to go with the Golden Generation of Players? And only 8 manager changes in La Liga? (Guardiola, Lopez, Arconado, Emery, Marquez, Muñoz, Kresic, Tapia) Which means 12 Managers did the business and kept their job. Interesting...some stability? Well let's run down the list at the top of the table and let me know what you think.

1 Bernard Schuster - Real Madrid
He's back! Just friend of player, president and socio alike. Schuster did not bring to the club jogo bonito, but he brought harmony and a cohesiveness. He still has his detractors. Some may say the top of the table was weaker than normal. The real task will be this year as fans and background staff all yearn for La Decima. (The 10th Champions League Title) Will this be known as a cycle of stability at Madrid? Or will last year just be a fluke, riding on Fabio Capello's coat strings? It should be a very interesting year.

2. Manuel Pellegrini - Villarreal
The mild mannered Chilean Manager has brought this club back to greatness once again. They will be participating in the Champions League for the 2nd time in history and this time they are bringing some very interesting signings with a lot of quality. Of course the majority are South American, but Pellegrini knows that market intimately and is quite a crafty buyer to boot. Will they have enough depth to vie for all 3 titles? I say yes!

3. Pep Guardiola - Barcelona
The new kid on the block with the biggest job, IMO. Catalan born and bred in the Cryuff style. Can this superstar on the pitch succeed off the pitch? Does he have the man management skills and tactical nuance to battle with the big boys? Bringing in Pep so far has saved Joan Laporta's job, but just barely. He has spent the most money in La Liga and probably in World Football, this silly season. It will be very interesting to see how he will handle Ronaldhino and Eto'o should they stay at the Camp Nou. Is he in over his head? We shall see.

4. Javier Aguirre - Atletico de Madrid
Vasco had a very tough year last season. He had to break the mental barrier of Los Pupes. A disease that literally used to affect the team in the 2nd half of the season, so that they were always the nearly men. Nearly Europe that is. Kudos to Aguirre for building mental strength and fortitude. Looks like he is making some quality signings, especially in defense. Looks like Atletico is going to have another good year.

5. Manolo Jimenez - Sevilla
President Del Nido and company decided to stay with the ex player and youth team coach. Sevilla had an extremely tough year with the death of Antonio Puerta early on and the loss of Juande Ramos. They missed the CL and now have to settle for UEFA Cup. Is Manolo the man to bring Sevilla to the glory of two years ago? Not sure.

6. Juan Roman Lopez - Racing de Santander
The ex Malaga jefe, did wonders last year to earn promotion for the Anchovies back to La Primera. And his prize, well the Manager position at Racing. Can Lopez fill Marcellino's shoes? Does this small team from Cantabria have the depth and money to compete in the UEFA Cup? Is the team a Celta Vigo or a Sevilla? The reinforcements have been little to none, thus far. The future looks hazy.

7. Gregorio Manzano - Real Mallorca
The Spanish Manager made do with what he had and eked out tremendous results. Unfortunately, Mallorca's parent company has filed for bankruptcy and so they are selling all of their key/star players. Where they will stop, no one knows? Arango is probably the next one out the door. But Manzano is making some bargain basement buys, so you never know? I would put my money on Manzano to pull out another mid table performance and Copa Del Rey run.

8. Gonzalo Arconada - UD Almeria
No one can repeat what Unai Emery did last year at Almeria, so hopefully expectations will be managed accordingly. Arconada had a stellar year with Numancia in the second division. They clearly outshined the rest of the pack and earned promotion quite early. But playing in the Primera is a whole other ball game. Almeria has made some very good signings with Piatti from Estudiantes, a record signing for the club. But the jury is still out with the little team from Andalusia. The sophomore slump is boding.

9. Miguel Angel Lotina - Deportivo La Coruña
The long time Vasco coach had a remarkable year with Baby Depor last year. The team is currently in pre-season preparing for their Intertoto matches at the end of the month. Will Depor return to Europe with a bang? We shall see. Will Lotina continue to play 5 at the back? I hope not. Lotina has made some selective transfers that on the surface complete a very balanced team. Look for another good year for the team from A Coruña. One step at a time.

10. Unai Emery - Valencia
Into the fire, head first. One of the hottest Managers in La Primera last year who played with a very attacking style. Now for something completely different? The bad news: dressing room drama, an enormous squad with the majority of players either not wanted or inconsistent at best that screams out for a major renovation. Financial debt mounting that is relying on the Nou Mestalla as it's salvation. No Champions League, just UEFA Cup. The good news: two of the hottest players in World Football. A coach with 4 years of Football Managerial experience and some fresh ideas. Who's worried? Me.

There's no sure thing in La Liga, especially when it comes to the Managerial revolving door. But if I look at my crystal ball, here's what I see. Look to Atleti to have another good year. Yes Atleti! Look to Villarreal to beat their every other year glory with a coach who has learned from his past CL Run. Chaos will continue at the Camp Nou and at the Mestalla. While being on the top of the table will be a one hit wonder for Racing and Almeria. Both teams should be weary of relegation. The former with fixture congestion and the latter with a coach in over his head. What do you think? Does the future look bright for Depor? Is Mallorca going to surprise us again? Who will be the hottest coach this year?

Next week I will review the Managers in the 2nd Half of the table. I cannot wait for the new season to start.