BESIEGED Barcelona boss Louis van Gaal yesterday paid a warm tribute to the man he replaced at the Nou Camp - and who tonight could deal a potentially deadly blow to the Dutchman's reign.

Sir Bobby Robson leads his Newcastle side into Champions League battle with his old club, knowing that - in an ironic twist - he may have a say in van Gaal's fate.

Van Gaal, who returned to Barca in the summer after managing Holland, is experiencing a season of mixed fortunes. His team are on the brink of creating Champions League history with a tenth straight win in the competition.

But on the domestic front, they are enduring their worst start to a League campaign for 23 years, having gone four games without victory and lost their last two.

A merciless Spanish press have already decided that he is fighting for his job, but van Gaal remains defiant as he prepares to welcome Robson, who became his international scout after being ousted as manager.

"I expect a big crowd because Newcastle are a very important team and people here have good memories of Bobby Robson,'' said van Gaal.

"He won three honours here and you just have to look at his record in football to see he is a great coach. He is a great professional and a great person and I can't say anything against him.

"I worked with him for one year and, apart from having a great personality, he was a great colleague of mine and I'm proud to have worked with him.''

There has been tough talking between Barca president Joan Gaspart and van Gaal, who insisted: "I feel great and I feel I'm the best coach for Barcelona right now.

"I don't think the club would be taking a fair and intelligent decision if they sacked me. We have had internal dialogue and I am convinced the president supports me.''

Outwardly at least, Robson bears no grudge against van Gaal, who watched Newcastle train at the Nou Camp last night.

But the Newcastle boss feels his own legacy to Barca has been overlooked.

"If you're a fantastic painter, like Picasso, they don't appreciate you until you are dead,'' mused Robson.

"You always get your rewards when you are gone and I think that happens with managers and coaches.''

Meanwhile, Robson yesterday revealed he last week rejected an audacious move by Benfica to lure him back to Portugal. Robson, 69, had spells in charge at of Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto.

He said: "Benfica told me I was their No. 1 choice. They gave me an hour to think about it but I only took a minute to say 'no'.

"I would have been the only man to manage all three clubs, but Newcastle is my life and it will be my last job. I have the best job in football."

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