When Iker Muniain notched his late winner in Athletic Bilbao’s 2-1 win at Malaga last Monday, the home crowd’s reaction left no doubt as to who was to blame for Los Blanquiazules’ fifth defeat in seven games, one that left them just one point above the relegation zone. Cries of ‘Schuster, vete ya!’, ‘Schuster go now!’, rang out around La Rosaleda as the fans’ patience with the German finally wore thin.
With almost two-thirds of the 2013-14 La Liga campaign remaining their frustration could be interpreted in some quarters as a knee-jerk reaction. The fact Malaga have had to sell, out of economic necessity, the nucleus of the squad that this time 12 months ago had sewn up Group C of the Champions League with two games to spare, ensured this year was always going to be one of transition.
Nonetheless, although supporters have since come to terms with Qatari owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani’s withdrawal of his financial backing, what they have failed to understand are some of Schuster’s actions since his summer arrival. True, the pack of cards he was dealt would not have enticed many top Coaches, yet his signing of a five-year contract with a mandate to build the club from top to bottom, including placing the emphasis on youngsters, ensured he had carte blanche to shape something in his own image.
However, the quality of player brought into the club thus far appears to be one of potential rather than the required standard La Liga demands, while Schuster’s man management and some baffling decisions have had the Malaga faithful scratching their heads. Midfielder Ignacio Camacho is a case in point. Having been one of the mainstays of Manuel Pellegrini’s team last term he has been a virtual outsider under Schuster, despite a promise at the start of the season he had a vital role to play in the team’s reconstruction. In fact, the former Atletico Madrid man has recently gone on record as saying the boss never speaks to him and he might need to consider his future in January.
Polish winger Bartlomiej Pawlowski, on loan from Widzew Lodz, has also come in for some odd treatment. The 21-year-old has become a firm fans’ favourite, his dribbling and pace offering an exciting alternative to some of the at times pedestrian football on offer. A tremendous individual goal away to Real Valladolid seemed a promise of things to come, yet Pawlowski has been limited to just five appearances and must wonder what he has done to offend the Coach. In addition, Pedro Morales, Fabrice and Bobley Anderson have found themselves in and out of the team with mystifying irregularity.
Inevitably, when things start to go wrong fans will look for explanations and there has been no shortage of speculation in the local Press. Diario Sur has it that Schuster does not talk to or train with the players enough, although sessions are supposed to be private and take place behind closed doors, and allege his comments about the team after some games have not gone down well within the squad. There have also been accusations his inability to make changes at key points in games has ultimately cost vital points.
Even so, general manager Vicente Casado said this week he believes the situation is not irreversible and has even spoken to Schuster and club captains Weligton, Willy Caballero and Duda about it. Consequently, although alarm bells may be ringing on the terraces, it is unlikely the Malaga hierarchy are considering the Coach’s position just yet, particularly with that five-year contract in his back pocket – although it does contain specific clauses.
All the same, the negative dynamic means any improvement needs to happen soon, starting with the next game at high-flying Villarreal, and with Getafe and Elche to come before the Christmas break, along with a two-legged Copa del Rey clash against Osasuna, the next few weeks may prove crucial to the Costa del Sol outfit’s future.
