Ismael Blanco offers himself as Barcelona's next coach after César Farías' exit

César Farías' departure left Barcelona Sporting Club's bench with a "help wanted" sign on it, and while the front office mulls over names, one popped up that wasn't on anyone's official list but has long had a place in the hearts of the yellow faithful: Ismael Blanco.

The club already took care of the day to day business: Pablo Trobbiani will run the first team on an interim basis until the board decides on a permanent direction. But that didn't stop the former Argentine forward from jumping into the conversation on his own terms, through a video he posted to his social media that within hours became the talk of the town among "Idolo" fans.

Blanco didn't hold back. He said he'd been getting messages from people close to him, including from Ecuador, asking whether he'd be willing to take the reins of the team. His answer was direct, no beating around the bush:

I want to tell everyone who's written to me, who's sent me messages, friends from Ecuador too. Of course I want to take over Barcelona. If they give me the chance and the president calls me, I'm there tomorrow. I'm a fan and I love this club.Ismael Blanco

He didn't stop there. The "Fox" went further and made it clear the urgency of the moment doesn't scare him, quite the opposite: he's eager to dive in headfirst and help solve the soccer crisis the team is going through.

I'm ready to take over the squad right now. Plus I love this institution, I want to help the team get out of what it's going through.Ismael Blanco

A name that carries weight at the Astillero

For those who didn't follow his playing days closely, it's worth remembering why Blanco has such a special connection with the fans. He arrived in mid 2014 and quickly won the fans' affection, especially for his goals in the derbies against Emelec, the kind of games where every forward dreams of scoring, and he delivered.

There's one story that stuck in the memory of the yellow faithful: in a loss to Independiente del Valle, with both the starting and backup goalkeeper already sent off, it was Blanco himself who put on the gloves and stood between the posts. Gestures like that, beyond the final score, are what turn players into idols.

He didn't win any titles wearing the yellow shirt, that has to be said too. He left the club in mid 2016 without adding any trophies to his cabinet at the Astillero. But affection isn't always measured in trophies, and in his case it's clear the love has survived the passing years.

Now the question is whether that affection is enough to turn into a real opportunity. The decision, as always in these cases, won't be made on social media but in an office: Barcelona's board has the final say on who will permanently fill the position left vacant by Farías.