His first few days have been extremely positive so far. His reception at the club has been very enthusiastic from the board and the media. So much activity by the coaching staff and the board since the end of the season that we're already close to achieving a successful summer, but I doubt Lucho will take his foot off the gas.
His first presser in particular impressed me a lot. He's got shades of Cholo in him with the way he identifies with the club and the culture and how passionate his personality is. It really is evident how much more momentum he has from the start being an insider returning home rather than awkward Tata who was kept at arms length from the club at all times.
“I don’t know what you’re suggesting by a heavy hand. I’m always positive, so you don’t need to worry about that. I’m going to manager the players the same way I have at Celta or Roma. My job is to motivate them and ensure that the mentality of each player is also global for the team. I don’t think there needs to be a heavy handed approach. I think we all need plenty of communication, all together in our work and demanding of ourselves in training.”
This is what particularly reminded me of his inner Simeone. His motivation is always positive and focused towards work and rallying the players behind him like a leader instead of chastising them (ala Cholo, instead of Mou). The whole bit about having intense training sessions to motivate the players and get them prepared well is also promising.
So far he's got 100% support and this seems that it'll be a successful transfer window, all that's left to see now is his work with the players. Unless they are power hungry and don't want to be disciplined, they'll receive him very well I feel. Most of the players he's coached so far have openly praised his personality and how much he's helped them, but the Totti situation could replicate itself with someone like Xavi if he doesn't get some humility. I hope Messi too dials down the ego and clearly obeys instructions. Alves doesn't have enough influence to go loose-cannon, if he does try to then it's out the door with him.
