Barcelona squad give their blessing to Juan Carlos Unzue
The players would back Luis Enrique's assistant to take over as manager
They have admitted as much in public but also privately to the club
Almost 40 days after Luis Enrique announced his departure from Barcelona, the club have won five of their last six games, a sign that his decision has not affected the team. If anything it's liberated them. And the expectations are that we're set for another great end to the season.
Meanwhile, the search goes on for his replacement and Juan Carlos Unzue is the best placed of all the contenders. He fits a number of requirements which the board have and, in addition, he also has the blessing of the squad.
The weight of the dressing room is important in a decision of this nature because to find a happy ecosystem for the group is a recipe for success.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAYERS
The club are waiting on feedback from the players on Unzue and the answers they are receiving are very positive. He is a coach some players have known for a decade, since he worked as goalkeeping coach with Pep Guardiola. There have never been any problems due to his character.
In public, the players have blessed his arrival already but they have also done so privately, when they have been asked about the successor for Luis Enrique. The players have shown themselves to be open to the possibility of Unzue getting the job at the end of the season.
PUBLIC SUPPORT
That has also been the case in public, with Gerard Pique ("He's capable of doing the job, he's spent years at the club"), Andres Iniesta ("He knows everything and how it works. He's a prepared, capable manager"), Sergi Roberto ("It would be a way of continuing the club's philosophy. We have a good relationship with him. He would be a great manager for us"), and Jordi Alba ("He has a lot of experience as a coach and an assistant, he knows the club and is capable") all lending their support.
The chances of him landing the job are high and only a strange set of circumstances would stop Robert Fernandez offering it to him now. The sporting director has a list of candidates and may change his mind if the club do not win any titles this season.
