Another new man for Numancia

Long-suffering readers of the blog will be aware that the Spock-like daily has no time for sickly sentimentality or ugly emotions.

Its bottom lip didnâÂÂt even come close to wobbling last week, when Guti tied his own shoelaces for the first time and Jesus Navas rode his bike to the end of the street and back. On his own. And without stabilisers.

However, it did utter a little sigh of sadness when it heard that, Numancia manager, Sergio Kresic had become the ninth piece of managerial roadkill of the Spanish season so far.

In a recent, lengthy interview the blog caught, the Croatian coach came across as a pleasant, enthusiastic, salt of the earth kind of guy - the type of man youâÂÂd be happy for your daughter to bring home. As long as she was in her fifties, mind.

It seems that five straight defeats, including last weekendâÂÂs 0-1 loss to Mallorca, was too much for NumanciaâÂÂs rulers despite the fact that, according to Kresic, he had only just been given a pat on the back and a lollipop for his seasonâÂÂs efforts.

âÂÂA few days ago, we had in a meeting at the club and they talked about how tremendously proud they were of the job we were doing,â revealed Kresic, âÂÂbut now theyâÂÂve changed their opinion.âÂÂ


Out on his ear: Sergio Kresic

The sideâÂÂs former sporting director, Pacheta, is set to be unveiled as the new coach in a cost-saving move, but it probably wonâÂÂt be enough to prevent the relegation of a club with the smallest ground and budget in La Liga.

Some rough calculations reveal that only seven clubs in the Spanish top flight currently have the same managers that they finished the last campaign with - Athletic, Betis, Deportivo, Mallorca, Sevilla, Valladolid and Villarreal.

And that probably means something very significant. But itâÂÂs hurting the blogâÂÂs head trying to work out what.

Poor, no-pot-to-pee-in-âÂÂcos-they-flogged-it Valencia have travelled out to Ukraine to take on Dynamo Kiev in a UEFA Cup clash and have horrified their yelping bean counters by including two players in the party who arenâÂÂt even fit.

As far as itâÂÂs possible to tell in the murky world of Mestalla, the playersâ wages for February remain unpaid, although the footballers have enjoyed the fun of various sweaty club minions coming down to the dressing room to tell them that the cheque is in the post.

âÂÂWe are at our lowest point,â admitted David Albeda. And that really is saying something considering the recent history of that particular club.

Over in Atlético land, the players have prepared for their footballing âÂÂEverestâ to come by having what Marca described as âÂÂa dinner of brotherhoodâ - or what the rest of us would probably call âÂÂa dinnerâÂÂ.

And it may be the last time that many of the squad will be speaking to each other - and possibly the first, according to La Liga LocaâÂÂs club insider - due to the sporting Krypton Factor the Calderón club will be suffering over the next few weeks. 

For those readers who may be feeling a little bit low today, then cheer yourselves up a tad with a glance at the upcoming fixture list for Atleti - Sevilla, Porto, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Porto, Villarreal.

ItâÂÂs a run for the rojiblancos that should provide more material for the blog than ManicheâÂÂs kaftan.

And talking of old blog rope, Roberto Gómez has given up on fortune telling for the moment. And thatâÂÂs no surprise considering last TuesdayâÂÂs assertive claim over Pedja MijatovicâÂÂs future.

âÂÂItâÂÂs a question of hours before the sporting director has to pack his bags and leave the club,â wrote Roberto in Marca. And technically, the crank columnist is correct as itâÂÂs now been (at time of writing) 192 hours. But still no sign of any hectic hair gel action.


Pedja: Still lurking in the shadows

Still, one thing that the toadying tattler is very sure of indeed is the brilliance of Vicente Boluda - the greatest president in Real MadridâÂÂs history since the one before him. And the one before him. And the one before him.

âÂÂBoluda is an example in a time of crisis,â gurgled Gómez. âÂÂHe only wants the members to feel proud of their club again.âÂÂ

Marca is doing their best to assist in this effort with their latest golden give-away. Perhaps the best since the official club sandwich toaster. ItâÂÂs an almost life-size, plastic model of the Bernabeu which also doubles as an iPod speaker and radio.

And this poses the question of whether itâÂÂs so realistic that the speakers begin to whistle after 20 minutes if it doesnâÂÂt like the music being played.

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