The funniest thing in football is perhaps the fate of managers in modern football. They tend to take the blame for their team’s performance if they’re below par but are often forced to stand in the background and clap as the players take in the adulation. Well, at least most of the time.
The best teams though are made in their manager’s image. Think of the legendary John Cruyff and his teams, they played their football exactly how their manager contemplated it, total football or Jose Mourinho’s treble winning Inter Milan squad, like their manager, tenacious and daring.
We have seen quite a few tactical master classes this season in the La Liga, but some managers (and their respective teams) have done it on a more consist basis than the rest, and in my opinion (this part is important) the following five have been the best this season.
#5 Jorge Sampaoli
When Jorge Sampaoli left his position with the Chile national team in the January 2016, there were many who were keeping a keen eye on where he ended up eventually. As he took over the reins of Sevilla, he took a club who were used to success under Unai Emery and perhaps enjoying their most consistent results as a football club (in recent memory).
They had won the Europa League in each of the last three years, and the Argentine faced an uphill task in bettering that at Spain’s oldest club. However, their start to the season not only defied expectations but also had the duo of Barcelona and Real Madrid stunned and running for cover. That is no mean feat.
His all-action style, and his persona reflected in his team’s performances. However, owing to their smaller squad, the team fell off the pace (more like ran out of steam), and will finish a very respectable 4th this season.
#4 Luis Enrique
It has been a curious season for Barcelona in the La Liga. It is quite easy to undermine the job the former Roma manager has done with the players considering that he’s leaving at the end of the season. Barcelona are in with a chance of winning the League in the last game of the season, and that is undoubtedly a testament to the work done my Spaniard.
However, what has really cost Barcelona this season has been their inability to grind out results against the so-called ‘smaller teams’, especially when his players weren’t playing well. Barcelona have lost against Alaves, Celta Vigo, Atheltic Bilbao, Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga this season.
That makes for a very painful reading for any Barcelona fan, and as always, the manager needs to take some of the blame.
#3 Ernesto Valverde
Touted in many corners as the person earmarked to take over from Luis Enrique as the next manager of Barcelona, the Spaniard has been excellent for Athletic Bilbao this season. With a very strong defensive block and good attacking game, his teams are equally good in both boxes.
What has been really fascinating is how he has juggled the relatively limited squad at his disposal. He might have very different challenges at Barcelona, but there is a determination in the man that makes you feel that he will be successful at Camp Nou (if he is chosen as their manager of course).
#2 Diego Simeone
On a lighter note, there is hardly a manager in world football who is as animated on the touchline as Diego Simeone. He literally kicks every single ball with his team.
To be honest, Diego Simeone would perhaps be a little disappointed with his team’s performances in the first half of the season which effectively rendered them out of the La Liga title race. But, even then, the amount he manages to get out of his players is quite astounding.
His tactics are so simple, and yet so effective. Sit compact, be aggressive, defend well and counter-attack at speed. His managerial acumen will undoubtedly be tested again in the summer with the doorbells ringing for the signing of Antoine Griezmann.
#1 Zinedine Zidane
The best manager in the League, and perhaps (most probably), the manager of the La Liga champions. There was that situation last year when Zinedine Zidane probably didn’t get the plaudits he deserved for their 11th Champions League title after taking over from Rafa Benitez in January.
This year, however, the press has realised the Frenchman’s genius. With Real Madrid challenging in both the La Liga and the Champions League, the Frenchman has juggled his squad brilliantly. He has given time to youngsters and given confidence to the likes of Isco, who wasn’t delivering to his capability at the beginning of the season.
The best advertisement of his skills is, however, the man management of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese, now 32-years-old, may not have had his best season in terms of his return in goals, but has been brilliant in big games.
Zidane might not be winning Real Madrid games with his magical feet anymore, but he is the emperor of their magical kingdom.
