Why do Premier League managers still not trust Spanish players?

[Boab 73]

Came across, a good thought:

Numerous bridges had started to appear between the Premier League and La Liga in recent years and I thought perhaps this summer we’d have seen more players and coaches than ever switching leagues.

It made sense: Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina were enough proof for any previously reluctant British managers that the Spanish can succeed in England and Spain’s stunning performance at Euro 2008 made them fashionable.

The Premier League is the world's wealthiest and the Spanish league, to be honest, could do with the cash: a match made in heaven, or so it seemed.

The summer started pretty much as expected: countless Premier league clubs arranged meetings with representatives of David Villa, Silva, Eto’o, Kun Agüero, Fernando Llorente, Guiza, Negredo and dozens more. But as the summer went on, aside from a certain high profile transfer to Real Madrid, not much happened.

It’s easy to blame the credit crunch, but there are other, purely footballing reasons: the top players in Spain did not fancy joining Premier League clubs, while British managers remain unconvinced by the more modest players from La Liga.

So, the old prejudices and stereotypes remain. In Spain, the Premier League, although hugely popular, is seen as antiquated: strength and pace are rated above technique and intelligence.

In contrast, British managers think La Liga imports are too slow and lightweight for the English game. Maybe they should take a look at the likes of Albiol, Pepe, Puyol or forwards like Luis Fabiano, Joseba Llorente or Zigic before making such generalisations.

On the other hand, the Spanish have been reluctant to step out of their comfort zone. Might that ever change? Perhaps.

After failing to secure moves to either Barcelona or Real Madrid - Villa and Silva have been forced to reconsider their reluctance to leave Spain and both are now contemplating moves to a foreign club: representatives claiming to be acting for United have met Villa’s agents in recent weeks, while Silva’s people have had conversations with City, Liverpool and United.

And managers? Ernesto Valverde (Villarreal), Antonio Tapia (Betis) and Miguel Angel Lotina (Depor) have all had recent offers from the Premier League. Has Juande Ramos’ experience made them think twice? Sam Allardyce could have been the Mallorca manager if Freddy Sheppard had bought the club, and if the consortium led by Tim Sherwood had taken over at Malaga, Terry Venables could have led them. There are other possibilities…

If Pep Guardiola is not convinced by Barcelona’s next president, he may consider a move overseas: his brother has already met with a top British football agent to discuss the possibility of managing a big Premier League club.

Meanwhile, the Spanish and the English continue casting admiring glances at each other, without ever really making a commitment; stuck in their old ways, too many fail to see the mutual benefits that a greater level of exchange between the two best leagues in the world would bring.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/co...icle183899.html

[ShanksRFC 3,873]

Just noticed your last quote in your sig.

[Boab 73]

Just noticed your last quote in your sig.

You couldn't make it up!

[Ryan_1 1,136]

Came across, a good thought:

Numerous bridges had started to appear between the Premier League and La Liga in recent years and I thought perhaps this summer we’d have seen more players and coaches than ever switching leagues.

It made sense: Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina were enough proof for any previously reluctant British managers that the Spanish can succeed in England and Spain’s stunning performance at Euro 2008 made them fashionable.

The Premier League is the world's wealthiest and the Spanish league, to be honest, could do with the cash: a match made in heaven, or so it seemed.

The summer started pretty much as expected: countless Premier league clubs arranged meetings with representatives of David Villa, Silva, Eto’o, Kun Agüero, Fernando Llorente, Guiza, Negredo and dozens more. But as the summer went on, aside from a certain high profile transfer to Real Madrid, not much happened.

It’s easy to blame the credit crunch, but there are other, purely footballing reasons: the top players in Spain did not fancy joining Premier League clubs, while British managers remain unconvinced by the more modest players from La Liga.

So, the old prejudices and stereotypes remain. In Spain, the Premier League, although hugely popular, is seen as antiquated: strength and pace are rated above technique and intelligence.

In contrast, British managers think La Liga imports are too slow and lightweight for the English game. Maybe they should take a look at the likes of Albiol, Pepe, Puyol or forwards like Luis Fabiano, Joseba Llorente or Zigic before making such generalisations.

On the other hand, the Spanish have been reluctant to step out of their comfort zone. Might that ever change? Perhaps.

After failing to secure moves to either Barcelona or Real Madrid - Villa and Silva have been forced to reconsider their reluctance to leave Spain and both are now contemplating moves to a foreign club: representatives claiming to be acting for United have met Villa’s agents in recent weeks, while Silva’s people have had conversations with City, Liverpool and United.

And managers? Ernesto Valverde (Villarreal), Antonio Tapia (Betis) and Miguel Angel Lotina (Depor) have all had recent offers from the Premier League. Has Juande Ramos’ experience made them think twice? Sam Allardyce could have been the Mallorca manager if Freddy Sheppard had bought the club, and if the consortium led by Tim Sherwood had taken over at Malaga, Terry Venables could have led them. There are other possibilities…

If Pep Guardiola is not convinced by Barcelona’s next president, he may consider a move overseas: his brother has already met with a top British football agent to discuss the possibility of managing a big Premier League club.

Meanwhile, the Spanish and the English continue casting admiring glances at each other, without ever really making a commitment; stuck in their old ways, too many fail to see the mutual benefits that a greater level of exchange between the two best leagues in the world would bring.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/co...icle183899.html

Still can't believe David Villa, David Silva and Kun Aguero haven't moved on. I would love to see them in the Premiership, especially United. Villa and Rooney/ Aguero and Rooney.

Pep Guardiola still hasn't convinced the Barcelona president?

You have to be joking right, he is the first manager to win the big treble in Spain (La Liga, Champions League and Copa Del Rey), put together the best side I've certainly seen in my time and he has still to convince the Barcelona president? Strange one indeed.

[the goal machine 7,925]

Came across, a good thought:

Numerous bridges had started to appear between the Premier League and La Liga in recent years and I thought perhaps this summer we’d have seen more players and coaches than ever switching leagues.

It made sense: Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina were enough proof for any previously reluctant British managers that the Spanish can succeed in England and Spain’s stunning performance at Euro 2008 made them fashionable.

The Premier League is the world's wealthiest and the Spanish league, to be honest, could do with the cash: a match made in heaven, or so it seemed.

The summer started pretty much as expected: countless Premier league clubs arranged meetings with representatives of David Villa, Silva, Eto’o, Kun Agüero, Fernando Llorente, Guiza, Negredo and dozens more. But as the summer went on, aside from a certain high profile transfer to Real Madrid, not much happened.

It’s easy to blame the credit crunch, but there are other, purely footballing reasons: the top players in Spain did not fancy joining Premier League clubs, while British managers remain unconvinced by the more modest players from La Liga.

So, the old prejudices and stereotypes remain. In Spain, the Premier League, although hugely popular, is seen as antiquated: strength and pace are rated above technique and intelligence.

In contrast, British managers think La Liga imports are too slow and lightweight for the English game. Maybe they should take a look at the likes of Albiol, Pepe, Puyol or forwards like Luis Fabiano, Joseba Llorente or Zigic before making such generalisations.

On the other hand, the Spanish have been reluctant to step out of their comfort zone. Might that ever change? Perhaps.

After failing to secure moves to either Barcelona or Real Madrid - Villa and Silva have been forced to reconsider their reluctance to leave Spain and both are now contemplating moves to a foreign club: representatives claiming to be acting for United have met Villa’s agents in recent weeks, while Silva’s people have had conversations with City, Liverpool and United.

And managers? Ernesto Valverde (Villarreal), Antonio Tapia (Betis) and Miguel Angel Lotina (Depor) have all had recent offers from the Premier League. Has Juande Ramos’ experience made them think twice? Sam Allardyce could have been the Mallorca manager if Freddy Sheppard had bought the club, and if the consortium led by Tim Sherwood had taken over at Malaga, Terry Venables could have led them. There are other possibilities…

If Pep Guardiola is not convinced by Barcelona’s next president, he may consider a move overseas: his brother has already met with a top British football agent to discuss the possibility of managing a big Premier League club.

Meanwhile, the Spanish and the English continue casting admiring glances at each other, without ever really making a commitment; stuck in their old ways, too many fail to see the mutual benefits that a greater level of exchange between the two best leagues in the world would bring.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/co...icle183899.html

Still can't believe David Villa, David Silva and Kun Aguero haven't moved on. I would love to see them in the Premiership, especially United. Villa and Rooney/ Aguero and Rooney.

Pep Guardiola still hasn't convinced the Barcelona president?

You have to be joking right, he is the first manager to win the big treble in Spain (La Liga, Champions League and Copa Del Rey), put together the best side I've certainly seen in my time and he has still to convince the Barcelona president? Strange one indeed.

It says "If Pep Guardiola is not convinced by Barcelona's next president".

He has certainly convinced Laporta, IIRC it was Laporta who was desperate to get Guardiola as manager.

[Henders82 547]

It certainly was laporta who wanted guardiola. Am sure I read somewhere that Pep wont be there for too long maybe 3-4 years max. maybe united will be his next stop but he wants to manage in italy too because of the tempo and the way the game is played over there!

[JamieD 19,665]

It's because they're better looking than English players.

Puyol excepted.

[Guest SandyWaTp]

It's because they're better looking than English players.

Puyol excepted.

Ramos

[Juno 2]

It's because they're better looking than English players.

Puyol excepted.

[Guest SandyWaTp]

It's because they're better looking than English players.

Puyol excepted.

[JamieD 19,665]

Touché

[Juno 2]

Touché

That's a French word, isn't it?

[Jonnyboyrfc 296]

liverpool shout have burst the bank to sign villa. Imagine a Villa and Torres partnership like Euro 2008? they would be unstoppable.

Not the way Rafa plays though i don't think. but still they would be the best partnership in world football potentially

[Guest SandyWaTp]

Touché

That's a French word, isn't it?

[Guest SandyWaTp]

Touché

That's a French word, isn't it?

[Jonnyboyrfc 296]

[Guest SandyWaTp]

Touché

That's a French word, isn't it?

[Jonnyboyrfc 296]

Touché

That's a French word, isn't it?

[keithgersbear 3,225]

[MasterD 7,448]

Dunno but if i was a player id rather play in spain than the epl tbh

As for guardiola, maybe man city would be an option if he was 2 leave barca in the next year or 2?