Just four weeks into the new LaLiga season, with Barcelona off to a strong start and Real Madrid struggling a bit, the usual suspects are at the top of the table. Yet, Diego Simeone, Míchel, Hansi Flick, Carlo Ancelotti, and Manuel Pellegrini might soon join forces against a common adversary: LaLiga.
According to Marca, Spanish football managers are considering a collective protest, potentially involving a boycott of matches and training sessions, until their colleagues—many of whom are currently employed—receive all back dues owed to them from sackings or buyouts.
The report highlights that Quique Setien, dismissed from Villarreal in September of last year, and Alvaro Cervera, sacked by Real Oviedo, are just two examples of managers still awaiting payment due to their firings.
LaLiga Looking to Avoid Managers’ Strike
The National Committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the issue with representatives from LaLiga and the corresponding divisions, hoping to devise a plan to resolve the matter.
Barcelona alone has seen five managers pass through its doors in recent years (Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien, Ronald Koeman, Xavi Hernandez, and now Hansi Flick). The good news is that Barcelona is one of the few teams that do not owe coaches any dues.
When Xavi was sacked from Barcelona, he voluntarily forfeited his dues to help alleviate the club’s financial strain at the time. Barcelona would have owed Xavi between 10 and 12 million euros.