FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.06.2010 12:34

Guardiola: year II

Sandra Sarmiento

Josep Guardiola was unveiled as Barça manager two years ago. What he has achieved so far has far exceeded expectations – with no fewer than seven trophies won.

He promised effort, work and pride in the team. And Guardiola is a man of his word. He has done much more than that. He didn’t promise any titles, yet he has won seven. It is exactly two years today that the Guardiola era began, and what changes we have seen in that time. He brought belief back to the club and so many dreams have come true in the last 730 days.

“I sense that I won’t let you down. I feel ready”

Guardiola became first team manager after leading the reserves to promotion. Many doubted whether he had enough experience. Although he knows the club and knows what it needs, he had a lot of sceptics to deal with at first. But he made them eat their words. He did everything that was expected of him and more.

“I believe in work, effort and talent”

Everybody knows that Guardiola has got the team working harder than ever. He always knows the right thing to say and the players have learned his methods to the extent that they can work with their eyes closed. He changed the training routine, the diet and even rest times. He has changed the way the team assembles for matches. And everything he has done has been the right thing. Simply unbeatable.

“I get the feeling that the people will be proud of us. They’ll enjoy themselves”

Guardiola had inherited a team that has confidence in itself. They had finished third in the league and crashed out of the Champions League in the semi finals. Much of the prestige gained from the win in Paris had disappeared. There was even a drop in the number of fans coming to the stadium. Guardiola managed to win back the Camp Nou’s faith.

“I’d like to promise titles, but that would be a mistake”

Guardiola is an obsessive, meticulous worker with a winning mentality, but also a lot of respect for the opposition. He only speaks of other team’s virtues. He will only speak highly of any side, be it the most humble of clubs or a Champions League contender. That’s the message he has got across to the squad, to the press and to everybody around him. He has dealt with everything with humility. And that has led to seven titles.