Thankfully this piece is about the positive aspects of the sport and remembering a larger than life character Manolo Preciado who was given an emotional tribute by both Racing Santander and Sporting Gijón this weekend.
Racing and Sporting with Preciado's family.
Manolo Villarreal shirt signed
June 5 was a big day for Villarreal when they announced Manolo Preciado as their manager who would take them back to the top division. The next day on the eve of presenting Preciado to the press, the Cantabrian died of a heart attack which shook the football world in Spain from clubs and fans alike. Yes, it's been a few months since that day and the tribute wasn't written at that time due to personal issues, plus laziness which would not have given the due respect he deserved.
For those not familiar with Manolo Preciado he was a tough defender played mostly with Racing Santander who he later managed on three separate occasions once the B team and twice with the A side. Besides Racing Santander he also worked with Gimnastica, Levante, Murcia.
Manolo the Player.
Preciado was responsible for bringing Sporting Gijón back into the top division in his second season. He was the longest continous serving manager with Sporting Gijón lasting 6 seasons before being sacked after a poor start in 2011/2012. In spite of this he was and still loved in his adopted city of Gijón.
Apart from keeping Sporting up on a shoestring budget. Preciado's best ever achievement was defeating Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabeu which ended Jose Mourinho's 9 year undefeated record at home with the teams he has coached. Still remember de las Cuevas's goal like it was yesterday and the last one he scored more about that wonderful day for sportinguistas Sporting Gijón's greatest day .
Manolo at Sporting
There was a bit of bad blood between Mourinho and Preciado which was started by "The One" criticising Sporting for fielding a weakened side against Barcelona. Preciado kindly told him to shut up, sit with the Sporting ultras. and called him a "canalla" very hard to translate this word but scumbag comes close. After Sporting defeated Real, they sorted it out like men. Mourinho went into the dressing room and shook Preciado's hand. After his death Mourinho came out with some special comments "He had everything I like in people and sportsmen: character, honesty and the courage to fight on.
Why was there such an outpouring of emotion at the news of Preciado's death within the respective football communities. As sport has become more professional it has bought in the age of pampered primadonnas, showponies, don't talk to me unless my agent gets 20%, inflated salaries and players who think perspective is something you buy in a supermarket.
Preciado was definitely his own man, very honest, spoke from the heart and someone that many could relate to on an individual which explains his popularity. He suffered a lot of tragedy in his life his wife died of cancer, one of his sons died in a car accident and last year his father died after being run over. Naturally he wasn't perfect but through his character and strength of personality during these difficult moments made it easy to identify with him.
Preciado Hall of Fame
Racing Santander and Sporting Gijón have close links the more cynically minded would say they extend to some shared results of convenience in recent times to preserve their status in the top flight before relegation. Preciado who was a Racing Santander member (sardinero) through the playing and coaching links, but he was very much loved in his adopted hometown of Gijón. Only the petty minded individuals would fail to see that he belonged to both sides.
It hasn't been easy to find good videos of the homage at Sardinero but representatives from the all the teams that he played for and coached Gimnástica, Levante, Mallorca, Murcia, Villarreal were represented. At the 55th minute of the match both sets of fans applauded for the whole minute the number representing the age which Preciado died.
As per usual the match between the two sides was a draw this time 0-0. Both teams were poor at least Sporting finally have a point after 3 games, the result was fair as they were as bad as each other. Football and the result were secondary to homage from both sets of fans to Preciado.
Manolo always with us
There should be an annual event between Racing and Sporting honouring Preciado, whether it's junior or senior level the Copa Preciado would be fitting after what he did for both clubs. The football stunk but this was the rare occasion where football fans came together to honour and appreciate a man who was such a part of their history without the pettiness.
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6 comments:
A really nice article, a man who wasn't only immensely talented, but a great character too. He is hugely missed, and will never be forgotten.
Nice article. Preciado was a very special person and wrote his name in our Sporting Gijon history in golden letters. A true legend.
Frichu,
Nice article. Preciado was unique and he won't be forgotten. Both Racing and Sporting should have been in First Division for this game but well what can you do. Every time I read about Preciado I still can't believe and I almost cry, that's how big he was. Siempre con nosotros Manolo
An excellent piece, probably the best one I've read about Manolo since his death.
Funnily enough, it's been written by probably the "furthest from Gijón based Sportinguista".
I hope your readers can make a good idea of what an incredible person Manolo was.
Keep up the good work, Nils.
great piece as usual Nils! Preciado was the Don and will always be! #SiempreManolo
Such a well written piece about Preciado which gave an insight into what a character he was.
After all the horrible luck he had when he was alive, always handled it with grace and flair.
Kudos to the Racing and Sporting fans for the homage to pay their respects to Don Preciado.
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