IN SPORT.ES
Many have insisted in the last few days that Juan Carlos Unzue is excited to replace Luis Enrique on Barcelona’s bench. Maybe before it was like this, but today he doesn’t just dream about it but he is confident that within the club they recognise him and will give him the chance
The coach sees himself as prepared to take on the challenge and has told the people around him that not being the chosen man would be a huge disappointment. He is humble as always and objective, but understands that out of all of the candidates he is the most adjusted to what the club is looking for.
Juan Carlos knows that to take charge of the team would require a change of ‘chip’. Not a transformation, but an adjustment. Those who know him know that he is a man with enough personality to not need to constantly mark out his authority time and again.
Unzue is a hard worker, a lover of dialogue, he is one of those who acts when he should and not just for show, and understands the way to earn respect from the dressing room is with actions and not words. Later, of course, results will pass judgement.
Managing a top squad requires a lot of psychology, without losing sight of tactical knowledge. And even more so when you talk about Barcelona.
In this aspect, Unzue is privileged. He was able to absorb the ideas of Pep Guardiola and then Luis Enrique, two Barcelona coaches who won the treble.
His CV guarantees footballing continuity, but he will also be allowed to put his own personal stamp on things. Without going further he also considers rotations obligatory, but he is more partial to applying them from the midfield up, to have a solid back-line through continuity.
An area which Unzue thinks he has progressed in most is analysis of games. And not on video, but during the matches themselves. Now Unzue thinks he’s good at interpreting what’s happening and can influence the games during play. Usually you see Luis Enrique speaking with Unzue before making a change.
Now it is not up to Unzue or Lucho, but the club to take a decision. The ball is in pay and Juan Carlos has spent a long time warming up on the sideline, ready to play.