Defeat in the clásico rosarino to Central on Sunday was too much for Pablo Marini to take, and he stepped down as Newell’s Old Boys manager on Monday. The move was anything but a surprise, since it had been widely reported in Monday morning’s papers that Marini was paid a ‘visit’ in the dressing room after the match by a few of the capos of Newell’s barra brava, La Hinchada Que Nunca Abandona.
The head of the gang, known only as ‘Pimpi‘, was said to have threatened and even headbutted Marini, before walking out of the dressing room to the corridor outside. As he sat inside composing himself, Marini decided there and then that leaving the club was the only thing he could do, and it’s clear that the impunity the barra at Newell’s have to move around the stadium – even when compared to other Argentine clubs – was a big factor behind his decision.
Marini had initially arrived at Newell’s on the 26th February, replacing Nery Pumpido at a point when the club really did look utterly hopeless. There was brief respite afterwards, in no small part thanks to the goals during the Clausura of Oscar Cardozo, but in total Marini won just nine, and drew six, of the 25 games for which he was in charge. What may ultimately have sparked the barra‘s anger, though – and prompted his resignation – was when, on Sunday, he became only the fourth Newell’s manager in 30 years to lose the clásico at home.
As of right now, it’s not clear at all who will replace Marini, though the board at Newell’s want an appointment at the earliest opportunity. Jorge Burruchaga leads the list of names being bandied about in the press – but who knows?
Photo nicked from ole.clarin.com
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