FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.05.2009 13:56

Guardiola: Four out of four

Anna Segura

He took charge of Barça B and won promotion from the Third Division to Second Division B. A year later as first team coach he has led the team to an historic treble.

He’s only 38 but he has already won the respect of the entire world of football. And yet in every public utterance he plays down his role and passes all the credit to his players. “I’m fortunate to have these players”. However, we all recognize the vital role he has played throughout an amazing season.

He started his coaching career just a year ago with the Barça reserve squad and has now established himself among the elite of European football coaches.

Promotion in his first season

After qualifying as a coach, Pep took over Barça B for the 2007-08 season – his objective was to win promotion. More than that he took the team to first place and then won promotion in the playoffs.

Glory in his second season

At the end of last season, Josep Guardiola was appointed first team head coach. The results couldn’t have been better. The world of football has showered him with praise for the quality of Barça’s football and the team has achieved the first ever treble.

The youngest

Josep Guardiola has also become the third youngest manager to win European football’s top club competition and the youngest of the Champions League era. He also joins that small band of professional who have won the trophy as both a player and as a manager - Miguel Muñoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff, Carlo Ancelotti and Frank Rijkaard.

“I can’t do more”

Immediately after the match he was asked, touch in cheek, if he would now be leaving the Club. Guardiola smiled and joked: “I can’t do more”.

He also placed the team’s achievement in context. “This is the legacy left behind by Cruyff and Charly (Rexach). They’re the parents of the baby”.

Committed players

The players have given him their all right from the beginning of the season. The fantastic harmony between players and coach was perfectly demonstrated by the celebrations on Wednesday evening and previously after winning the league and the Cup –on each occasion the players sought him out to carry him on their shoulders.
And although Guardiola wanted to stay out of the limelight in Rome, Thierry Henry gave him the trophy to offer to the fans.