Barça Femení coach Lluís Cortés has informed his players just before the match against Eibar that he will not continue next season, with the wear and tear and lack of energy at the end of the season weighing in his decision.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Lluís Cortés, the all-around champion FC Barcelona Femení coach, winner of a historic treble this season, has communicated to his players before the game against Eibar that this will be his last match as coach of the team. The Barça coach has announced that he is leaving office after a convulsive end of the season that has seemingly spoiled the brilliant season of the Barça women’s team. A decision that has previously been made personally to Markel Zubizarreta, general manager of the women’s football section, with whom he maintains a very good professional and personal relationship.
“Time wears everything down. I have emptied myself and I need to fill myself up”, Guardiola had said on the day of his farewell. And something similar has happened to Lluís Cortés after four seasons, two as an assistant and another two at the head of the women’s team group. After 353 days of hard work this season, which started on July 10, everything has taken its toll: Extra demand to be able to aspire to everything, COVID in between, the team in a bubble and living practically only with the squad, many trips and matches every three days.
This also comes especially after some players from the squad communicated to the board about their wear from the other side, suggesting a change of coach. Cortés, who renewed before the Champions League final, did not judge them. Even more so after speaking with some of the captains who will continue the next campaign. He understood it as part of football and the board ratified it. The Balaguer coach could have continued at least one more season, with the option of another, but he is without energy, without strength and he has made it known to his players.
Now the work will be by Markel Zubizarreta, who has not yet renewed himself. The head of Barça women’s football section will have to look for a replacement for Cortés. A coach who will have to extend the successful cycle set by Cortés and who will also have to renew – together with Zubizarreta, if he continues – a squad in which next season many important players end their contracts and already have dizzying offers waiting for when they are free. Proposals that will be difficult to match for Barça. As will be the stage that Cortés closes today, football and titles for the legend, but with a sad and unexpected ending.
