hitman87's Dynasty Blog
Rumors are circulating that Joanne Mercier is attracting a lot of interest from international teams who are in search of a new manager. The FC Barcelona boss is one name that has cropped up time and again in press reports and it looks like she may well be making the jump to international management.
The favourites to lure Mercier onto the international stage are France who are on the look out for a new boss, considering they have philosophical differences with their current manager Didier Deschamps. The French Football Federation are reportedly eager to give the exciting manager her first introduction into the world of international management with the hope that she can impose her successful style of play on the French team. A former French women's national team player herself, this move could help both parties welcome her back into the FFF fold.
A number of other international teams will also be on the hunt for a new manager after recently parting company with their respective managers. One of these is China PR, who are emerging as one of a number of destinations for Mercier. They already made themselves known to be big admirers of the FC Barcelona boss and a move from Chinese Football Association looks likely.
India have been manager-less for some time now and are still looking fo fill their vacancy with a new face, and it looks like Mercier's face might make a good fit. But the All India Football Federation k now that competition for Mercier's signature will be fierce and the offer they make will have to be a good one.
Also in the managerial hunt are Canada who currently look like outsiders for the services of Mercier but the chance to take up such a leftfield role may be one that appeals to the FC Barcelona boss. The Canadian Soccer Association have recently come out in the press that they are in need of a change in direction and that Mercier would fit the bill perfectly.
Lastly a job that might take the eye of Mercier is the hot seat at Venezuela where the potential is there to mold a really useful side with the potential to take her onto bigger and better things. The Venezuelan Football Federation themselves are willing to be used by Mercier as a career stepping stone in a move that could be beneficial for both parties.
September 14, 2019: Mercier, Barcelona Pulls Out All The Stops Before Showdown With Valencia
FC Barcelona manager Joanne Mercier set her expectations high publicly before, now with the winning record she has that to back it up. While Barcelona's excellent run of form in the league has fans excited, the first team will be battle tested against their rival Valencia CF. But as Mercier said about their previous match against Osasuna and the state of Valencia, she said; “The players need focus on their training, not on the opponent's state.”
Barcelona has had a good run so far, putting them in a great position to challenge for the LaLiga Santander title. She has the team to do just that. and with the transfer window closed until January, the boss made her intentions known that she has built the winning team and everybody must be committed.
“We couldn't have hoped for a better start. It's been fantastic so far and I'm hoping the whole squad is going to play a role in carrying this form over the season,” Mercier said. “We've built a winning team. All players must be committed and must understand they have a responsibility to perform to the best of their abilities will get to be a part of it.”
She also congratulated Ousmane Dembèlè on his Player of the Month award for August, continuing his form right from the pre-season. Ever since, Mercier made him an everyday starter until Lionel Messi returns from Injury. Time will tell if Dembèlè will be the heir apparent to Messi once he leaves the club.
September 14, 2019: ter Stegen Own Goal A Non-Issue As Barcelona Wins Late
Marc-Andre ter Stegen made one mistake. An Own Goal. It turned out to be a small problem as Barcelona beat rivals Valencia CF 4-3 on the heels of Paul Pogba's late game winner.
Valencia's Maximiliano Gomez scored two goals on his side, but the scoring power of Anthony Martial, Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba could not be stopped. Griezmann received Man of the Match honors.
Clement Lenglet is continuing his hot run of form, which is impressive. But manager Joanne Mercier downplayed it as if it was just an another day at the office.
“Let's not get carried away as we still have a long road ahead of us,” she said. “He performed well today but it takes a lot of hard work to keep up this momentum until the end of the season.”
It was a very tight match right until the end. Pogba managed to score the winner in the last minutes of the match. “We were clearly the better team, we created chances throughout the game, and we won the match," Mercier said. “Luck had nothing to do with it. We were unlucky for not scoring earlier!”
But beating Valencia, as Mercier says herself, is sweet enough to taste victory. But was she worried that they would close the gap?
“No, not at all. I knew we'd hold our nerve and see it out,” she said. “Beating them is always sweet.”
Barcelona will face off against Dortmund away from home in the first match of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
September 18, 2019: Suarez Brace Helps Secure Barcelona Win In On Mercier's UEFA Champions League Debut
It's the kind of game that FC Barcelona would love to win every now and then. Turns out, they were right. In a tense match, which looked evenly matched on paper, it's Barcelona who were victorious in their latest match in this year's UEFA Champions League by triumphed over a better disappointed Borussia Dortmund, 2-0. Luis Suarez was in superb form for the club, scoring a brace which guided his side to the victory.
“I'm very impressed with the way Suarez played today, it was a world class performance,” says Joanne Mercier.
Antoine Greizmann is on a tear with his current hot run of form. Mercier was satisfied with his performance today and it shows.
“We need Griezmann to keep this good momentum going for as long as possible,” she said. “He did good today but being able to keep this form going is what separates the great from the good.”
Coming into this one, there wasn't much between Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. But wins matter to the manager, the question is by how much goals can they can take.
Joanne Mercier says, “I always expect a win...the only question is by how much.”
The squad will be back in LaLiga action against Granada.
September 20, 2019: A Grand Homecoming: Mercier Accepts France Top National Team Role
France has found their new football Svengali in Joanne Mercier, who has been announced as this year's national team manager. It serves as a homecoming of sorts for Mercier, who has spent the last 3 years with the women's national team as assistant manager and scout before joining FC Barcelona. The French Football Federation unveiled Mercier as their new boss after she accepted their offer of a new contract.
“It's a great honour,” she says. “Something like this doesn't come along every day.”
The current FC Barcelona manager will be looking to bring success to the biggest stage in football as she goes out to grab some of the biggest prizes in world football. Perhaps the bigger challenge a manager can have laid at her feet is to have the fate of national pride in her hands. Fans around France expressed delight in their new woman and applauded the FFF's decision to go for someone who was seen to have been the people's choice.
When asked about possible squad selections, Mercier was in no hurry to reveal any of her candidates. “This isn't something I plan to rush so don't expect an answer from me anytime soon.”
September 21, 2019: de Jong Scores as Barça Wins Again
Coming off of a UEFA Champions League win and Joanne Mercier's appointment as the new French National Team manager, FC Barcelona wins against Granada 1-0 off an only goal scored by Frenkie de Jong. Clement Lenglet receives Man of the match honours.
With such a tight score, Mercier believed they were the better team, but was amazed that Granada put up such a fight.
“I think we deserved to win based on how we played. We created enough chances, and the score could have been bigger,” said Mercier after the game. “They surprised me, maybe all of us, today. They had plenty of fight in them and made sure we earned it every step of the way.”
Rui Silva shined in goal for the Granada despite the loss. But the FC Barcelona boss was impressed with his performance. “You've got to give credit to Granada for the way they set their stall out. It wasn't easy to outpace them and Silva's performance made it even harder.”
With that win, Barça has won five straight matches. Villareal is up next.
September 25, 2019: Mercier, Barcelona Look To keep the Momentum Going Against Villareal
With five straight wins to their credit, FC Barcelona has the excellent run of form in the league has fans excited for another LaLiga title on their trophy case, the squad will be going to battle against Villareal CF. Joanne Mercier said about their current form and expectations couldn't be any higher.
“We've had a great start, but the season is far from over and there's a long way ahead of us," Mercier said during her press conference. “Anything can happen.”
With a collection of wins to her credit, Barcelona is on a tear with their current form.
“It's a pleasure to manage players in such good form. The way we play, I can see our run continuing,” she added.
As in their previous match against Granada, Barcelona only had a one goal victory. But wins matter to Mercier. The only question however is by how much.
“A win is a win, a goal is a goal. We'll do the same against Villareal CF,” she said.
September 25, 2019: Barcelona Continues The Streak, Beating Villareal 5-0
Arthur, Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez put up goals on the score-sheet, with Suarez scoring a brace for himself as Barcelona defeats Villareal en route to their sixth consecutive victory. Griezmann received Man of the Match honours.
“The entire team deserves the credit for the victory. It's clear that Suarez stood out today, but Barcelona is a club that always puts the group before the individual,” Joanne Mercier said after the game. “I am so fortunate to be managing such a talented group of players, all credit goes to them.”
Jordi Alba is on a tear with his form so far into the season. He has played in every LaLiga match in the season and has been a vital part of the Barcelona defence.
“Jordi is like a machine, he just keeps this good momentum going for as he can,” she said. “He did good today and I can't argue with that. But being able to keep this form going even after playing six games is incredible.”
Getafe CF is next on their docket.
September 28, 2019: Getafe CF No Match For Barcelona, 3-0
The Streak lives on.
Luis Suarez scored two goals including Man of the Match honours, as well as Antoine Griezmann as Barcelona rolls past Getafe CF 3-0.
“Luis Suarez had a great outing, and he always puts the group first before the individual accomplishments,” Joanne Mercier said after the game. “Rather than put too much emphasis on our next match as I am focused on building long-term success at Barcelona.”
Any advice for Getafe after giving up 3 goals? Mercier says keep trying.
“We at FC Barcelona work hard and this result is just another confirmation of that. I can only suggest they do the same,” she said.
The next time Barcelona steps onto the pitch is against Inter Milan in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
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