• Copa del Rey

Martino still feels job at Barca is safe

ESPN staff
April 17, 2014
Martino: Result changes nothing

Gerardo Martino insists his chances of retaining his job as Barcelona manager have not been affected by Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.

Barcelona have now lost three successive games in all competitions. Atletico Madrid ousted Barca from the Champions League a week ago, and Granada damaged their La Liga hopes on Sunday with a 1-0 win.

Despite the setbacks and the likelihood of a season without a trophy, Martino remains confident.

"Obviously this is not a good moment. It has been a hard week on all fronts," said Martino, who still has one more season on his contract.

"As I have said for one, two, three months now, I don't feel that my future has changed because of all that we lost, and nor do I think it would be different if we had won."

Before the game, Barcelona vice president Jordi Cardoner said defeat on Wednesday would not be cause for Martino's immediate sacking.

"If we lose the Cup, we don't forsake Tata or convene elections," he told Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona were beaten by a Gareth Bale goal worthy of winning most major finals, and Martino marvelled at the Welshman's endurance.

"It is difficult to see a player be able to sprint like that at that stage of the game," Martino said. "The game was going our way after we had levelled until that counter-attack."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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