Hallelujah! Pink Slip Season

By: Corey | May 20th, 2009

The moment many of us were eagerly awaiting for: ~~my return~~, nah thats not a big deal. Its the end of Pedja Mijatovic baby. Obviously he was not going to be able to continue under which ever president will be elected, but hearing the news that his contract has been terminated early is simply awesome. It brings a close to the Calderon era for sure, and it is really a great sign for the future of the club to get this pin head out.

No one liked this guy, yet he stayed at the club for three years. He even had his own disgruntled fan videos. Check them out (they are in Spanish). Video 1 Video 2 Video 3

Some of Pedja’s more enlightened signings include Gabi Heinze, Javier Saviola, Jose Antonio Reyes, Emerson, Antonio Cassano etc.

He completely botched several promising negotiations, including Angel Di Maria, David Villa, David Silva, Santi Cazorla and most notable, Cristiano Ronaldo.

He paid 30 million euros for Pepe, who at the time was worth probably 7-8 million, and he bought Royston Drenthe for 13 million, and Wesley Sneijder for 27 million! Outrageous fees for these players. Not knocking the players, but surely better negotiations would have lowered the price on those signings amongst others and saved the club around 35 million dollars.

He was a disaster when he was picked up on the Calderon ticket because he had 0 experience in such a role, or any football administration role for that matter. He was never considered a truly legendary player of the club, although his goal to win the Champions League in 98 was memorable. His credibility was non-existent and unlike Jorge Valdano or Emilio Butregueno, he was not a legend that had the hearts of the fans. Both those men had previously experience in football administration before coming to Real also.

Goodbye Mijatovic. I will miss making fun of you and your brill creamed hair and porn-starish mustache. Let this face live long in the memory.