Martino may quit Barcelona after the season: Reports

Barcelona, March 18 (IANS) Barcelona coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is likely to leave the Catalan football giants at the end of the season.

Catalan TV station ‘Esport 3’ said he would not be in charge at the Camp Nou Stadium next season, reports Xinhua.

Although this is yet to be confirmed by the club or the coach, the news came as little surprise after Martino said Saturday during a press conference that he had not taken part in any discussions to plan for next season. He added that as far as he knew no discussions had taken place to plan for the 2014-2015 season.

Should the news be confirmed, it would mean the end of a one-season reign in which the former Newells Old Boys coach has struggled to convince the Barcelona faithful, among them the press, that he was the right man to replace Tito Vilanova, who was forced to leave the post last summer for health reasons.

Martino has been criticised for attempting to change Barca’s style of play, adopting more long balls and surrendering some aspects of the passing game which is held as almost sacred at the club.

In his defence it should be pointed out that he has faced the season with midfielder linchpin Xavi Hernandez in his declining years, while Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta have been below their best and Leo Messi was plagued by injury problems before the New Year.

The club also failed to make the necessary signings over the summer and has struggled in defence at moments of the campaign.

Coupled with on-field problems, Barcelona has also suffered off the field with Sando Rosell forced to resign as the club president in January after accusations of tax avoidance linked to the signing of Brazilian striker Neymar.