Future doesn't change with one defeat: Barcelona coach

APRIL 16: Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino of Barcelona looks on during the Copa del Rey final.

Madrid, April 17 (IANS) FC Barcelona coach Tata Martino insisted Thursday that his side’s 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final Wednesday did not mean he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Goals from Angel Di Maria and Gareth Bale gave Real Madrid the title and ended a dreadful week for Barcelona where they lost the Cup final to Real Madrid, were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid and fell off the pace in the race for the La Liga title after losing in Granada last Saturday, reports Xinhua.

The Catalan press are speaking of the ‘end of an era’ with the club president and directors under scrutiny as well as the coach and the players.

“I feel deep sadness for the defeat and for the people who support us but this team has a long way to go and a lot of things still to do. I can’t think of a more painful way of losing but my future doesn’t depend just on this defeat. My future doesn’t have to change because we lost just as it wouldn’t if we had won,” said Martino.

“It is a hard blow as we had high hopes before the game but now we have to find strength when it appears there isn’t any. The league doesn’t present a favourable panorama but we have to fight to the end.”

Barcelona entertain fourth place Athletic Club Bilbao Sunday when the supporters in the Camp Nou Stadium will probably give their verdict on the players, the directors and the coach.