Nadal criticises Mallorca board over Laudrup
Reuters - Wednesday 28 September 2011, 18:35
MADRID - Michael Laudrup said goodbye to
Real Mallorca's players and fans on Wednesday amid criticism
from club shareholder Rafa Nadal of the way the board of
directors handled the former Danish international's exit.
Laudrup, who took charge at the Balearic Islands side at the
end of the 2009/10 season, resigned on Tuesday after clashing
with the board over transfer policy and said he had decided to
leave for the good of the team.
Mallorca native Nadal, whose uncle Miguel Angel will take
charge of the team for the time being, told local television the
board's actions had created "doubts" about the club and what had
happened was "a shame."
"As a fan I would have liked things to have gone
differently," added the tennis world number two, who bought into
the club last year.
Another of Nadal's uncles, his coach Toni, said Laudrup had
brought prestige to Mallorca.
Spanish media reported that former Spain coach Luis
Aragones, who has had two previous stints in charge of Mallorca,
former Athletic Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros and former Getafe
coach Michel were possibly in line for the job.
"It's tough to leave because I was very happy with the team
and my staff, but I think this is the best solution for the good
of the team," Laudrup said in a statement posted on Mallorca's
website earlier on Wednesday.
"I'm going to miss everyone a lot, but it's the best thing
for everything to go back to normal," he added.
"We've won two from three at home and even though I'm not
the manager any more, people have treated me superbly and I'm
going to stay here and follow the team closely."
Regarded as one of the finest playmakers of his generation,
Laudrup also had stints coaching Mallorca's La Liga rivals
Getafe and Russian club Spartak Moscow.
Mallorca narrowly avoided the drop to the second division
last season, finishing in 17th spot, one point above the
relegation places.