Really sad news out of Spain. A day after being appointed Villareal coach, Manuel Preciado passes away. He was just 54 years of age.
The longest serving La Liga manager, a man with the most beautiful mustache in the sport is no more. Here is Sid Lowe’s post on Preciado that gives a flavour of the man, his outsized personality, and his love for the game and its players. He was a survivor beaten down again and again and again but somehow he always managed to keep Sporting Gijon in the first division of the Liga. Always embellished with an unforgettable quote.
“I would,” he says, “understand any decision the club takes. Football has seen hairs grow on my balls and I know how things are.”