Rival fans await the 2010-2011 season

The Spanish League again promises to be an exciting one. Although realistically, in the end, it will be a battle between last season’s defending champions, Barcelona, and runners-up, Real Madrid. Both rival clubs will not only want to win La–Liga, but also the UEFA Champion League.

A lot of pressure will be heaped on the shoulders of both club coaches to deliver.

Barcelona’s coach:

After losing to rival Real Madrid in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Barcelona fans’ desire for silverware grew and the club’s management looked to the future and appointed Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola.

Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola was born on January 18, 1971. Pep grew up as a part of the Barcelona youth system and came through the club ranks and into the Barcelona senior team. He was a member of the Barcelona dream team that won the UEFA Champion League in the 1991-1992 season. He also represented Spain internationally and was considered one of the best central midfield players of his generation.

After retiring from playing, Pep went into coaching; and in his first managerial job in 2007 as coach of the Barcelona B team, Pep won the divisional championship. Before the end of the 2007-2008 season, Pep was appointed to manage Barcelona’s senior team in their upcoming season to replace Frank Rijkaard, as Barcelona’s management looked to the future.

He made many changes to the squad; some raised eyebrows from the Barcelona faithful, but such is Pep’s nature. It is never one of not being afraid to make changes when he sees it fit. Barcelona immediately won the treble (La-Liga, Copa del Ray and UEFA Champions League) in the 2008-2009 season.

His team employed a 4-3-3 formation and played the Pep way, that of possession and all-out attack. Pep’s philosophy is simple, keep possession of the ball and continue to attack. His method brought great joy to the soccer purist. Already he has proven the ability to motivate his players to buy into his belief and system of play.

In the 2009-2010 season, under his guidance, Barcelona again captured La-Liga. Barcelona also claimed a hold on the World Club Championship, UEFA Super Cup and Super Copa Espana trophies. However, Barcelona was not able to defend the UEFA Champion League and lost out to the eventual winners, Inter Milan.

Barcelona faithful are once again happy. They have found a team that they are willing to support and a coach they have faith in.

Real Madrid Coach:

Madrid have spent a lot of money to reclaim the Spanish La–Liga last season, acquiring the services of Renaldo and Kaka, but still fell short to rival Barcelona. The club has been without silverware for the past two years, and just like their rival, Barcelona, they too have become restless. The Madrid board has brought what they consider the final piece of the puzzle. They have appointed Jose Mourihno.

Jose Mourinho, born January 26, 1963, is the son of former Portguese footballer Jose Felix Mourinho. Jose himself was a former soccer player, but by his admittance was never a good one. So he decided from a young age that he wanted to become a coach and embarked upon a coaching career in the Portuguese lower leagues. He became a translator for Bobby Robson (former England International and Coach) when Robson became coach of Sporting Lisbon. They became friends and discussed soccer and soccer tactics. He moved with Robson from Lisbon to Porto and then to Barcelona, along the way, becoming Robson’s assistant. He was to be in charge of speaking with players, working out defensive strategy, studying opponents and preparing training sessions. He said Robson was a more attacking minded coach and left the other aspects to him. He was quoted as saying one of the things he learnt apart from player management was that you should not assume that when you win you are the team, and when you lose you should not think you are rubbish. They formed a formidable team and won silverware in Portugal and Spain.

When Robson left Barcelona, Mourihno stayed and acted as Louis Van Gaal’s assistant and learnt about the fine details that are required in training.

Having served his apprenticeship under two great coaches, Jose embarked upon his head coaching career and found immediate success in Portugal and every country that he has since coached. He took Porto to league titles and also a UEFA Championship success. Then in England at Chelsea, he saw them winning back to back Premier League and F.A. Cup titles and two League titles. When Jose arrived in England with Chelsea, he declared himself ‘The Special One’ and since then has been known as such.

He left England and had a six-month break and journeyed to Italy, where in the last two years he led Inter Milan to two straight Seria A titles, one SuperCoppa Italiana title and Coppa Italia titles. He once again won the UEFA Championship title and became only one of three managers to do so. He is also only one of two managers to take three different teams to the UEFA Cup semi-finals.

Jose ‘The Special One’ Mourihno is a winner and with the ability to motivate players to play for the greater cause. His ability to adjust tactically during games makes him one of the great soccer coaches.

Mourihno is known for his tight defensive tactics, a philosophy he has mastered over the years, but it has not stopped his teams from scoring goals.

Hopes are again high in Madrid and the fans await the ‘The Special One’ to wave his magician wand.

The World awaits the two league meeting of these old rivals in what is known as ‘El Clásico.’