Barcelona involved again as LaLiga managers threaten to go on strike over unpaid wages

Barcelona president Joan Laporta | Daily Mail

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta | Daily Mail

Barcelona involved again as LaLiga managers threaten to go on strike over unpaid wages

Ayoola Kelechi 17:49 - 03.09.2024

The LaLiga log leaders are in the news for the wrong reasons again as Spanish managers threaten strike action

The tension between LaLiga managers and the league's governing bodies has reportedly reached a boiling point, with some of the biggest names in Spanish football considering industrial action over unpaid wages and redundancy packages.

Managers unite over unpaid redundancy packages

The issue, which has been simmering for some time, came to a head during the Committee of Managers' annual general meeting, where over 40 managers, including Carlo Ancelotti, Xavi Hernandez, Diego Simeone, Unai Emery, and Andoni Iraola, gathered to discuss their growing concerns.

Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid

The primary focus of the meeting was the treatment of managers who have been sacked without receiving their agreed severance pay.

This issue has particularly infuriated the coaching community, with high-profile cases like those of Sergio Gonzalez at Cadiz and Quique Setien at Barcelona only a tip of the iceberg.

Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien | Imago
Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien | Imago Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien | Imago

Setien's situation drew significant attention, as he was forced to take legal action against Barcelona to receive his redundancy payment after being dismissed from his role as head coach in 2020.

This issue is not isolated to Barcelona or Setien, however, as according to Spanish publication Marca, the problem is widespread throughout the Spanish football pyramid, affecting managers at all levels, many of whom cannot afford to go unpaid for extended periods.

LaLiga managers threaten strike action

The Committee of Managers is now demanding that LaLiga introduce regulations that prevent clubs from sacking managers without providing their severance packages, a change they believe is essential to protecting the rights and livelihoods of coaches across the league.

Ex-Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez who left after the 2023/24 season | X
Ex-Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez who left after the 2023/24 season | X Ex-Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez who left after the 2023/24 season | X

The situation has reached a critical juncture, with the managers threatening to strike if their demands are not met.

Such a move could have a significant impact on an already congested football calendar, potentially disrupting fixtures and causing further complications for clubs and the league as a whole.

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The managers are set to meet with LaLiga officials on Wednesday for further discussions, where they hope to reach an agreement that will prevent the need for a strike.

Barcelona's involvement in the controversy has once again put the club in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, with Setien's case serving as a sad example of the financial struggles that the Blaugrana have faced in recent times.