- Vissel Kobe fired Miguel in less than three months.
- Iniesta is on the brink of being demoted.
- He played alongside German World Cup champion Lukas.
According to rumors, Andres Iniesta’s struggling J-League team Vissel Kobe fired manager Miguel Angel Lotina after less than three months on the job, citing his treatment of the former Barcelona great.
Iniesta is at risk of being relegated for the first time in his illustrious career, as big-spending Vissel are currently anchored to the bottom of the Japanese first division with only 11 points after 18 matches.
Early in April, Lotina was hired to arrest the rot, but the Spaniard has amassed just seven points in nine league games in charge.
The veteran manager, whose resume includes relegations with five different teams in his own country, reportedly fought with club authorities about how best to utilize the 38-year-old Iniesta.
The 2010 World Cup-winning midfielder has started the last seven league games for Vissel, although Lotina has altered the team’s playing style from a Barcelona-type “tiki-taka” passing game to a more counter-attacking approach.
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According to reports, Lotina also disputed with the club on Iniesta’s playing time.
Iniesta appeared despondent after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Urawa Reds for Vissel, as he walked off the field with his head dropped in the 70th minute.
Club management is reportedly concerned that Iniesta may depart if Vissel gets relegated. He allegedly signed a two-year contract extension in May of last year that extends him through the end of 2023.
Takayoshi Yoshida has replaced Lotina as manager, beginning his third tenure in control of the team.
“It’s precise because we’re in this tight spot that everyone at Vissel Kobe, starting with the fans and the sponsors, needs to band together and overcome this difficult situation,” said the 45-year-old Yoshida.
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Iniesta joins Vissel in 2018 after making over 600 games for Barcelona, where he won nine La Liga crowns and four Champions Leagues.
At Vissel, Iniesta has played alongside German World Cup champion Lukas Podolski and former Spain teammate David Villa, and he is currently joined by former Barcelona teammates Bojan Krkic and Sergi Samper.
Iniesta has had little success in Japan, with the 2019 Emperor’s Cup being the only prize he has added to his vast collection.
