The Juan Carlos Unzue formula: Hard work, method and no timetables

My friends at SPORT asked me, while I’m in India enjoying the international break, about my opinion on Juan Carlos Unzue being the man to replace Luis Enrique as Barcelona coach.

The first thing that came into my head is the visit we made with Albert Roca (former El Salvador coach and currently in charge of Bengaluru FC, where I work as second coach), when Unzue was in charge of Numancia in the Segunda Division. It was 2011 and his only experience as a first team coach to date.

We drove from Zaragoza and we called him saying we would arrive at 8pm. It eventually took us until 9 to get there and when we arrived, there were no lights on at Los Pajaritos. No security guards. Nobody to direct us on this cold February night. We rang the bell at the stadium and it was Juan Carlos who opened the door, to take us to his office, in the bowels of the complex by the dressing room. 

There he was, editing videos for the next game. With no hour to finish at. With nobody waiting for him at home because his family had stayed in Barcelona. He told us this was not the first time he had stayed this long there. And once the coach turned off the light, he took the keys and locked the stadium himself too. 

This is the possible new coach of the most successful club in the 21st century. A passion for his work that could see him needing to lock up Camp Nou itself if that was necessary. 

Someone who knows the training models in vogue at the moment, like tactical periodisation, as well as the usual stuff, such as the structured microcycle, someone who takes advantage of the latest technologies and is constantly alert, attentive to what is coming. Methodical, structured, analytical, patient and at the same time ambitious, a winner, a perfectionist.

SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS

I’m sure he’s not enjoying these recent days, with the run of goals conceded. Football is a game of streaks and at the moment Barcelona are not doing well with their defensive strategy. But I’m sure he’s working with Luis Enrique and his team of video analysts to look for the necessary solutions. 

It’s impossible to know now if he will be chosen. I suppose the outcome this season will be key, whether they win titles or if they don’t. For better or worse, in football the results are important and without doubt Unzue would have better chances to be coach if they win La Liga or the Champions League. But what Cules should value is the huge merit that there is in being involved fighting, one more year, for three competitions.

Since Rijkaard’s arrival the winning current was installed in the club, and almost all coaches since then have continued the streak. The arrival of Pep Guardiola and his succession by Tito Vilanova has a certain parallel to Luis Enrique and Unzue. The inly coach who was unable to bring titles was Tata Martino.

The club has matured a lot since I was a young player coming through in the 80s. Then was a time of doubts and insecurities, with outsiders brought in who know nothing about the set-up. Udo Lattek, Terry Venables and Van Gaal. Professionals who didn’t always adapt to the special circumstances at the club and the way the fans like to see the team play.

I think that Klopp, Allegri and Sampaoli would be good bets to awaken the old ghosts and insecurities of past eras. Those from before the creation of the new model and the 28 recent titles. Since Rijkaard Barcelona have gone for three short players, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, and ruled world football.

Forget about external appointments. Pep, Tito, Luis Enrique, all passed through Barcelona B and have triumphed. This profile has brought good play and results. Unzue, like Eusebio who is also an option, are professionals who know the club, the players and the method. Why change if with coaches from home you can preserve the essence and compete quickly without big readjustments or adaptation problems? Why bring back the old ghosts from Barcelona’s past? All the ‘continuation’ projects from the last decade have worked.