FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.06.2010 13:24

Three Years as Barca Manager

Sandra Sarmiento

Guardiola is looking forward to his third season in charge with an enviable haul of 7 titles already in the bag. Recent history augers well as Rijkaard did the double in his third season while Cruyff won his first league title with the Dream Team.

Most fans would agree that stability on the manager’s bench is vital. Right now, Pep Guardiola is preparing his third season in charge and nobody doubts his ability to keep the silverware coming in. However, it’s no mean feat to establish yourself as manager of one of the biggest football clubs in the world. Barca have had 49 managers over the years and only 11 of them have kept the job for 3 or more seasons.

Rijkaard and Paris

Rijkaard led Barca to the league title for the first time in the 2004/05 and then in his third season took the Club to their second ever Champions League.

Van Gaal and the Copa Catalunya

Louis van Gaal coached FC Barcelona on two separate occasions. From 1997 until 2000, he won the league at his first two attempts but in his third season he could only lift a minor trophy, the Copa Catalunya.

Cruyff and the Dream Team

Cruyff managed the Dream Team for 8 years, winning his first league title by a mile (10 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid) in the 1990/91 season. It was the beginning of one of the most glorious periods in recent Barca history.