After months of speculation in the Catalan media, is was announced yesterday that Pep Guardiola was to step down as manager of FC Barcelona at the end of this season. There have been rumours all season that Guardiola was not going to spend to much longer at the helm of what has become the greatest football team of all time. He has let it be known in the past of his desire to one day manage in the premier league as he sees it as the pinnacle of the modern game.
Guardiola stated that for the past 6 months he has wanted to resign but it is thought that he wanted to finish his Barcelona career with success. However, after a defeat to Real Madrid and a draw with Chelsea dumped them out of the running to win either La Liga or the Champions league it is thought that Guardiola saw it as an opportune moment to announce his departure. Guardiola had a 3 hour meeting with the board where Sandro Rosell, club president, offered him unlimited spending power and increased wages to entice the former Barcelona captain to sign a new deal. Guardiola though declined citing that money was not the issue and that he “could not go on”.
Guardiola’s resignation will spark interest around Europe, none more so than Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who is a long term admirer of the Catalan. Chelsea sacked Andre Villas-Boas in March and are yet to confirm whether interim manager Roberto Di Matteo will get the job on a permanent basis despite guiding them past Barcelona into the final of the Champions League. Other potential moves for Guardiola would be Liverpool, whose season has been something of a disappointment under Kenny Dalglish despite reaching two cup finals, Tottenham: whose manager Harry Redknapp is continually linked with the vacant England job. It is not likely though that Arsenal is a potential destination for Guardiola as had been suggested earlier in the year, unless Arsene Wengar gets the Barcelona job. Spanish media reports suggest though that it is Guardiola’s intention to take a years sabbatical before returning to football management. He is thought to have become somewhat disillusioned with the pressures of club management and in need of a break from football before taking another job. Once his years’ break is up though many believe that his preferred destination is England.
Barcelona will have their work cut out trying to replicate the success that they’ve had under this manager. Having won the Spanish cup, the Champions league twice, and La Liga three times in just 4 years Guardiola will go down in history as being one of the most important coaches in the clubs’ great history. The fluid style of football that Barcelona have mastered under Guardiola is something that the clubs’ fans and hierarchy alike will want to keep hold of. Tito Vilanova, someone who has worked as a coach under Guardiola for the past four seasons has been given the job and it will be hoped by the Catalan club that he will continue in the same vain that his predecessor, bringing both exciting football and silverware to Catalunya.
Guardiola spent yesterday afternoon with his players, expressing his desire to leave and reasons for it. Players who have flourished under him such as Lionel Messi, Pedro, Gerard Pique and Dani Alves will be especially devastated by the loss of their manager. There is already talk that Dani Alves will be looking to move on in the summer, with Man Utd being a possible destination. Barcelona fans will also be upset and worried by the loss of their manager who has instilled such a wonderful balance of flair, work rate and devastating power which has torn apart defences throughout Spain and over Europe. Although Guardiola did not get his wish of ending his tenure as Barcelona manager on a high, he will be remembered by all in football for having forged a winning mentality and beautiful football to a side which, along with some of the best players on the planet, has led to them becoming arguably the greatest club team of all time.
declanfisher 