ASUNCION, May 12 (Reuters) - Marcelo Recanate is not the first president of Olimpia with pots of money and a loose tongue though critics wonder if the controversial businessman, who has had two coaches resign in the past week, will dig Paraguay's most decorated team out of a hole or sink them deeper.
Olimpia have not won a competition trophy since their third Libertadores Cup title in 2002 and their fall was accentuated with the departure of Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb, another controversial president who turned up at training with armed guards and gave out $100 bills to the players after victories.
Since Recanate took over as president last December determined to put Olimpia back on a winning track, he has clashed with several club personalities who have since resigned.
The latest is Argentine coach Nery Pumpido, who had steered Olimpia to the South American title in 2002 in a previous spell in charge.
Under pressure from Recanate since Olimpia lost the lead in the Apertura championship when they dropped five points in their last two matches, Argentina's 1986-World Cup-winning goalkeeper Pumpido agreed terms for his departure earlier in the week.
Olimpia's physical training coach had quit a few days earlier over differences with Recanate.
Recanate, a large man who enjoys insulting coaches, players and directors on local radio stations, has clashed with the Paraguayan Football Association, other club presidents and even national team coach Gerardo Martino over player call-ups.
'CRAZY FATTY'
"This man has been crazy for some time, totally crazy," said former Paraguay captain Carlos Gamarra after Recanate criticised the modest club he now manages, first division Rubio Nu.
"You know the fatty at school who has to carry the ball to get to play five minutes? He's the typical character nobody knew existed who wants to feature in any way he can," Gamarra told Cardinal radio recently.
Olimpia's performances in the Apertura, first of two championships in the season, have been mixed but they have been contenders for the title for the first time in many years.
With three matches to go, Olimpia are three points behind leaders Nacional with a chance of their first league title since 2000.
Pumpido's departure follows a draw with modest Guarani last weekend following their defeat by arch-rivals Cerro Porteno, down to 10 men for 48 minutes, in the big Asuncion derby the previous Sunday.
Like Dominguez Dibb, Recanate, who has an import business and represents well known brands in Paraguay and neighbouring countries, bankrolls Olimpia in the face of court cases brought against the club by former players and coaches.
Once considered a part of Dominguez Dibb's entourage, Recanate appears to have engineered a divorce to take sole control.
"Football is a business and Olimpia isn't a NGO," Recanate said recently when describing the club's delicate financial state as he looks to revive their fortunes.
Olimpia have not won a competition trophy since their third Libertadores Cup title in 2002 and their fall was accentuated with the departure of Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb, another controversial president who turned up at training with armed guards and gave out $100 bills to the players after victories.
Since Recanate took over as president last December determined to put Olimpia back on a winning track, he has clashed with several club personalities who have since resigned.
The latest is Argentine coach Nery Pumpido, who had steered Olimpia to the South American title in 2002 in a previous spell in charge.
Under pressure from Recanate since Olimpia lost the lead in the Apertura championship when they dropped five points in their last two matches, Argentina's 1986-World Cup-winning goalkeeper Pumpido agreed terms for his departure earlier in the week.
Olimpia's physical training coach had quit a few days earlier over differences with Recanate.
Recanate, a large man who enjoys insulting coaches, players and directors on local radio stations, has clashed with the Paraguayan Football Association, other club presidents and even national team coach Gerardo Martino over player call-ups.
'CRAZY FATTY'
"This man has been crazy for some time, totally crazy," said former Paraguay captain Carlos Gamarra after Recanate criticised the modest club he now manages, first division Rubio Nu.
"You know the fatty at school who has to carry the ball to get to play five minutes? He's the typical character nobody knew existed who wants to feature in any way he can," Gamarra told Cardinal radio recently.
Olimpia's performances in the Apertura, first of two championships in the season, have been mixed but they have been contenders for the title for the first time in many years.
With three matches to go, Olimpia are three points behind leaders Nacional with a chance of their first league title since 2000.
Pumpido's departure follows a draw with modest Guarani last weekend following their defeat by arch-rivals Cerro Porteno, down to 10 men for 48 minutes, in the big Asuncion derby the previous Sunday.
Like Dominguez Dibb, Recanate, who has an import business and represents well known brands in Paraguay and neighbouring countries, bankrolls Olimpia in the face of court cases brought against the club by former players and coaches.
Once considered a part of Dominguez Dibb's entourage, Recanate appears to have engineered a divorce to take sole control.
"Football is a business and Olimpia isn't a NGO," Recanate said recently when describing the club's delicate financial state as he looks to revive their fortunes.
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