This Wednesday (20) has decisive character for the Athletic. With a proposal in hand and two conversations with leaders, the Spanish technician Domènec Torrent must today give an answer to President Mário Celso Petraglia. Hurricane's "Plan A" since the start of the ball market movement, former Pep Guardiola's assistant in Manchester City welcomed the meetings, and the expectation is that he will close a one-year contract with Rubro-Negro.
Despite the old interest and confessed by Cuca, the coach – and fan of Athletico – will not return to work while seeking the review of the conviction he had in Switzerland for sexual act and coercion in the late 1980s. Thus, Hurricane touched life, focusing from the beginning on a foreign name.. Although some Portuguese technicians were speculated and even polled, Domènec Torrent was considered the favourite.
He had at least two meetings with Athletico leaders. The first was with former football CEO Alexandre Mattos and financial director Márcio Lara. After Domènec’s good impression – and Mattos’ departure to the Vasco - Mário Celso Petraglia made the move. The president talked to the coach last week, and he also liked what he heard. It was explained that the initial plan would be a one-year contract, even by the possibility of transformation into APS still in 2024. And a proposal was made.
Deal with Athletico?
Petraglia's expectation, for now the only one responsible for the ball market of the Athletic, was that Domènec Torrent respond to the red-black proposal by Tuesday (19). The day was of announcements, but of reinforcements for the cast, the Paraguayans Mateo Gamarra and Romeo Benítez. About coach, nothing. Needing to speed up the Hurricane assembly process for the centennial year, the president is still waiting for Spanish. But, knowing the temperament of the agent, a delay can mean the abrupt end of the negotiations.
At the age of 61, Domènec Torrent has four experiences as head coach. In the 2005/06 season, he commanded Girona, not yet connected to the City Group. After working 12 years as an assistant to Guardiola (in Barcelona, in Bayern Munich and Manchester City), the Spanish commanded the New York City, the Flamengo and Galatasaray, with no significant results. The coach has the approval of Fernandinho, with whom he worked in England.
