Friday 7 November 2008

Adios Simeone

'The only person responsible is me' - the contrite words of Diego Simeone after River's exit to Mexican side Chivas in the Copa Sudamerica (the poor relation to the Copa Libertadores). Given that his 11 blew a 2-0 HT lead in Guadalajara maybe they had something to do with it too?

The whole River saga seems to have reached an inevitable conclusion, as I type Buenos Aires TV are reporting that Simeone has or rather will do the decent thing. He will resign after Sunday's home game to Huracan, no doubt satisfied that at least the exit is on his terms and he wasn't pushed. Quite how much longer the board and the fans could stomach the current situation is open to debate but anything other than a win on Sunday would have seen the end of his reign. Without a league win since 17th August, a humiliating home defeat to Boca, and bottom of the pile his days were clearly numbered. Add into the equation the very public exit of Ortega which appears to have had the opposite effect to what was intended and last but by no means least the resurgence of eternal rivals Boca.

Quite a fall from grace - from Clasura winner to job seeker in a matter of months.

Hasta luego!