TractorBoy7

Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2014
Messages
344
Reaction score
0
Points
0
View attachment 261453

In a shocking turn of events, none other than Rafael Nadal, the megastar tennis player from Mallorca, Spain, has turned his head to football


The news broke this morning as Miguel Ángel Nadal (Director of Football at Mallorca and also Rafa's uncle) announced that his nephew has been brought in to be the new manager at Iberostar Estadi. Miguel was noted as saying that Rafa has come in to do the job for absolutely free as he has come in to restore the club into financial order.

"My nephew, Rafael, is obviously a very notorious man in Mallorca, being from here and all. We really need to save as much money as possible here and I knew that Rafa's love for the club would persuade him to come work here voluntarily."

Things have been on the decline in Palma de Mallorca for a while now with the club slipping out of the top flight in the 2012/13 season after 16 seasons in La Liga. The club has failed to deal with financial problems caused by the relocation into the Liga Adelante.

Although Nadal has no football experience in management other than a National C license, Miguel is confident that his status as a Spanish sporting icon will help him in the dressing room.

"Obviously, Rafa has led this country to glory across the world on the tennis front. We feel that respect transfers into all the people of Espana and not that just of the tennis fans out there."

Whether or not some of the elite players that Mallorca still possesses will follow Nadal is another story.

Captain Josep Lluís Martí was quoted as saying "I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of the guys here were worried about the fact that Rafa has been called in purely just for financial reasons and not for footballing reasons. A lot of these guys just want to get back in to La Liga instead of stabilising ourselves in the Adelante"

Rafa himself, nor his representatives have said any word of the matter as of yet. It is reported that Nadal will attempt to keep a low profile among his time at the helm of Mallorca.

"The King of Clay" - Rafa Nadal


 

"The King of Clay" - Rafa Nadal

View attachment 260804

RCD Mallorca


Pre-season 2014/15 season


So, with Rafa Nadal reportedly aiming to get rid of the club's big earners this summer, it should be a pretty interesting spectacle to watch as the Megastar dictates his transfer policies onto the club.

View attachment 260790

Making a profit of £2.7mil in transfers is not bad for the club. The biggest departure was probably renowned wonderkid Marco Asensio who leaves the club for a little fee. However, within the deal are numerous add-ons for Mallorca such as a 35% sell on fee and a future friendly arranged. Local media have praised Rafa Nadal's negotiation skills in this deal as the future financial benefits could amass into the 10's of millions.

The biggest earner leaving was Mallorca's best player, Michael Pereira. Fans and media alike were angry with Nadal as they feel as though he could have led the team to glory. Several days later though it had emerged that Nadal had already lined up a much cheaper like for like replacement for Pereira (Dani Abalo), with almost identical stats for 1/6th almost of the cost. Abalo is also on just over a third of the wages that Pereira was on.

Michael Pereira

View attachment 260784

Dani Abalo

View attachment 260783

Whilst in Bulgaria scouting Abalo, Nadal came across a young finnish centre back named Tero Mantyla who came in to replace the disgruntled Pedro Bigas who demanded a transfer after Pereira was sold.

Perhaps the biggest transfer in this window to note was that of Fredrik Oldrup Jansen

View attachment 260781

The director of football at Mallorca was quoted as saying "We feel that Jansen is streets ahead of all other talent in Norway. He's technically and mentally strong and we have high hopes for him as he will be working the engine room for our midfield. Hopefully for many years to come."

Although they payed over street value for Jansen, Mallorca representatives feel that his stock will rise rapidly over the coming months.


Friendlies

View attachment 260777

Rafa Nadal was not spotted at any of these games as he had assigned his assistant Juan Jose Vila to take over responsibilities while Nadal scouts for cheap talent.

Nadal will be no doubt thrilled with the results of his squad and his number 2 as they win 5 games out of 7.


 
Last edited:
Top