Iker Muniaín wanted to live a new football experience in Argentine football and he is achieving it, although surely not in the sense that he had dreamed of. The Basque player, idol of Athletic Club de Bilbao, is now a star in the San Lorenzo de Almagrobut his new team is not doing well this season as it is in 24th place among the 28 clubs that make up the league. And this weekend things became even more complicated for him with the resignation of his coach after a controversial situation during Saturday’s game against Godoy Cruz.
Leandro Romagnoli presented his resignation this Sunday as a coach and became the twenty-sixth technical director who does not fulfill his contract so far this season in the highest category of Argentine soccer. This was announced by the club officially through social networks.
«Today afternoon, Leandro Romagnoli informed president Marcelo Moretti of his decision to stop being the coach of San Lorenzo. We only have words of gratitude for ‘Pipi’ and his coaching staff for their work, for their dedication and especially for always prioritizing the needs of San Lorenzo above all else,” read the San Lorenzo de Almagro announcement.
«With the pain that the most winning player in history will not continue in the club, we say goodbye to him with the certainty that in the future our paths will meet again. Thank you very much, Pipi! “San Lorenzo is your home!” added the note, implying that the club’s relationship with the coach is optimal and that the decision was his.
This afternoon, Leandro Romagnoli informed president Marcelo Moretti of his decision to stop being the coach of San Lorenzo.
We only have words of gratitude for Pipi and his coaching staff for the work, for the dedication and especially for privileging… pic.twitter.com/FKl37BtqdX
— San Lorenzo (@SanLorenzo) October 13, 2024
Romagnoli opted to leave the bench hours after the tie (1-1) on Saturday between San Lorenzo and Godoy Cruzin a postponed match on the third day. The clash could have ended in victory for his team, but it finally had a bittersweet outcome after Francisco Fydriszewski missed a penalty in injury time. A launch that corresponded to Iker Muniain.
Muniain, owner of the penalty spot
The Spanish striker, who had entered the field in the 47th minute, was the one designated by the coach to take San Lorenzo de Almagro’s penalties, but Fydriszewski, with the support of other teammates, snatched the ball from him. His shot, Panenka style, was saved by the rival goalkeeper, Petroli. An outcome that prevented Muniain from scoring what would have been his third goal in five games in the Argentine league and also the victory of the ‘cyclone’, vital to redirect their delicate situation.
Romagnoli said that the one designated to kick the penalty was Muniain. So there is a lack of authority. Because if the boss says do A and the subordinates do B, something is not right. In San Lorenzo there is a lack of leadership. pic.twitter.com/bttK4oW2ME
— Agustín Muzzu (@AgustinMuzzu) October 12, 2024
At the end of the meeting Romagnoli vented his anger and expressed his anger to the press: “I played for 20 years and a player was designated,” he explained about the penalty. «He was and is Iker. On the field they decided. One is not in the players’ heads. If I find out that it’s going to bite her, I tell her ‘don’t do it’. “They are decisions,” he added.
«We have to understand the situation we are in and the club we are in. “We must highlight this and the situation we face,” added the technical director of San Lorenzo de Almagro, visibly upset.
sunk in the table
The coach was referring to the history of the club but also to the bad situation of the team, located at the bottom of the rankings and far from any option of qualifying for international tournaments.
The team’s fans also gave vent to their anger on social media, harshly criticizing Fydriszewski for having flouted his coach’s order and missed the penalty.
Romagnoli leaves the San Lorenzo bench after 26 games, with a more than discreet record of 7 wins, 9 draws and 10 losses, and a qualification for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, in which they lost to the Brazilian Atlético Mineiro.
