duke313

No, founders of the Premier League. Luton, Notts County and West Ham got relegated from the First Division in 1991/92, its final season as the topflight.

He didn't though.

Would like to see Luton promoted, they along with Notts County are one of the founder members of the Premier League that have never played in it.

But if he's done a 360, he would be.

So he is coming here?

Hopefully not, Emery and the scouts will have identified what players they want. Someone else will just do the negotiating now.

The only people the club can't afford to lose is Wes/Nas and Emery, everyone else is replaceable (including Alemany).

FC Barcelona | Laporta acepta la decisión de Mateu Alemany (sport.es) Joan Laporta has given the go-ahead for Mateu Alemany to continue as FC Barcelona's director of football. Although both the manager and the Barça club had indicated in a statement that they were breaking relations at the end of the season, Alemany has decided to change his mind and continue working on the Barça project for the next campaign. The Barça president has welcomed Mateu Alemany's decision to remain the club's director of football and that is why the official confirmation that Mateu 'stays' definitively is very close. The Mallorcan executive seemed to have everything done to leave for Aston Villa, where they were waiting for him with their eyes open to start a winning project with Unai Emery. It was taken for granted that he would go to Birmingham, but Mateu has decided to change his mind and continue in a project that is not yet finished. Now we will have to see how the organization chart is with the permanence of Mateu Alemany and the departure of Jordi Cruyff. Deco aims to be a new strong man in Barça's technical secretariat.

Wasn't Cordon also linked with Barca?

Why would Emery leave us because a Director of Football done a 180 and decided to stay where he's at?

Basically what Newcastle are doing this season.

This makes the most sense. We wanted him to commit this summer, he couldn't, so he's staying.

How have you came to that conclusion?

Sounds like he hasn't decided yet, maybe he's got a last minute offer from Barca.

Surely this makes the most sense now, didn’t his head scout already join?

It might have. But if we want him, it'll be the Mendes connection that get him.

Looks like Cordon bleu is back on the menu.

Why, he's a Jorge Mendes player. We don't need Alemeny to get him.

Shambles. Can't imagine Emery will be happy with this. There goes any chance of getting Ferran Torres, won't be dealing with Barca now.

It's being suggested on Twitter that he left because of Jordi Cryuff, who is now leaving as well, so they are saying Alemeny wants back in. Unexpected turn of events if true.

Emery wants different options, for the double pivot we would have a combination of a) Ugarte x Kamara, b) Kamara x Luiz or c) Luiz x Ugarte. Different combos for different opponents. We could also change to a midfield 3 if needed.

Would seem strange that Barca basically announced he's leaving and him basically agreeing everything with us, to then back out at the last minute. Also, haven't they announced Deco already as his replacement?

What is happening?

Absolutely. He's a player who will be out of our reach in a few years, so get him now or never.

Erm.. does anybody speak Portuguese? Sounds like we’re trying to get him cheaper. One thing about the big three Portuguese clubs, if you want their highly rated player, you pay the release clause.