Guardiola Stepping Down

[HomerJSimpson]

According to Sky Sports Pep Guardiola wants to step down from being Barca manager at the end of the season saying he's tired of management and needs some time away from the game. In my mind this can only mean one of two things.

Its silly season already and this is all paper talk and speculation
Abramovich has opened the suitcase and he's going to Chelski

 

[In_The_Rough]

Dont think it is speculation mate there have been rumours and rumblings all season about this being his last at Barca before a ball was kicked.

 

[Marshy77]

Yes was listening to talk sport tonight and its almost nailed on unless he changes his mind tonight. Press conference tomorrow. Shame really as Barca have been fantastic over the last few years and watchign them change in to probably the best side I ever seen has been amazing.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Yep he's a gonna I reckon. Where he is going to I wouldn't like to guess.

 

[Marshy77]

Take a year out they said unless a decent offer came in - Arsenal next year, Chelsea if the cash is available maybe, Man Utd if Fergie ever decides to go but strangly not for England, apparently he isn't on there list!!!!

 

[Liverbirdie]

I think Guardiola's Barca have been amazing (no big statement there).

He inheritted and brought through some amazing talent, and he allied the work rate to it (compared to when under Rijkaard). However, would he be able to manage mere mortals. Would his systems work in England, other other spanish teams? I think it would be interesting to see if he can manage a team with only 2-3 world class players. Would his system not work as well without players who can keep a minimum of 65% possession, without a Messi.

Dont get me wrong, if I heard Liverpool had him tomorrow I would be ecstatic, but no guarantees he would be successful elsewhere.

 

[Dodger]

I think Guardiola's Barca have been amazing (no big statement there).

He inheritted and brought through some amazing talent, and he allied the work rate to it (compared to when under Rijkaard). However, would he be able to manage mere mortals. Would his systems work in England, other other spanish teams? I think it would be interesting to see if he can manage a team with only 2-3 world class players. Would his system not work as well without players who can keep a minimum of 65% possession, without a Messi.

Dont get me wrong, if I heard Liverpool had him tomorrow I would be ecstatic, but no guarantees he would be successful elsewhere.

If your club announce they are appointing Coco the Clown tomorrow you should be ecstatic.

 

[JustOne]

I think Barca are going to get Di Matteo as their new manager and switch to a 10 man defence...

 

[In_The_Rough]

If your club announce they are appointing Coco the Clown tomorrow you should be ecstatic.

Thought he was already in charge there anyway

 

[Scottjd1]

If he does go, who wil Barca go for???

AVB?

 

[In_The_Rough]

If he does go, who wil Barca go for???

AVB?

Be another Spanish manager in La Liga or promote somebody from within the club like they did with Pep

 

[Marshy77]

I think Guardiola's Barca have been amazing (no big statement there).

He inheritted and brought through some amazing talent, and he allied the work rate to it (compared to when under Rijkaard). However, would he be able to manage mere mortals. Would his systems work in England, other other spanish teams? I think it would be interesting to see if he can manage a team with only 2-3 world class players. Would his system not work as well without players who can keep a minimum of 65% possession, without a Messi.

Dont get me wrong, if I heard Liverpool had him tomorrow I would be ecstatic, but no guarantees he would be successful elsewhere.

Once read a really good article in 442 about him and he works tirelessly on everything. What he did the first day he was appointed was asses all the squad and figured out straight away who he was keeping and who was going, how fit they were, how dedicated there were and if they would fit in with etho's. I really like his attitude and the way he sets he team out but don't understand his lack of plan b which is why (imo) he may fail at other clubs outside of La Liga. Barca dominate possession and totally dominate the majority of teams in that league, I doubt he could do that with a premier league club who don't have the ability or his vision on how to play 'perfect' football, plus he doesn't look to give much thought about a decent defence and an out and out striker.

But hey Barca won 13 out of the a possible 16 trophies, not a bad record.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Barca's defence aint that bad, Puyol,Alves, Pique!! The problem he has had this season is David Villa busting his leg months ago which has cost them. Madrids top scorers in the league read Ronaldo=42, Higuain=21,Benzema=18 while Barca's Messi=40,Sanchez10,Xavi11

 

[Marshy77]

Be another Spanish manager in La Liga or promote somebody from within the club like they did with Pep

Talk of Luis Enrique (great great player), Bilboa manager and Laurent Blanc which is a bit of suprise.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Talk of Luis Enrique (great great player), Bilboa manager and Laurent Blanc which is a bit of suprise.

Yeah Enrique would fit the bill ex Barca player and Roma having a bit of a tough time in serie A.

 

[smange]

If your club announce they are appointing Coco the Clown tomorrow you should be ecstatic.

Thanks for that Dodger.......just spluttered beer all over the laptop:rofl:

 

[Marshy77]

Think the problem with the defence is they don't defend lol, Alves is more like a right winger, Puyol is liabel to the odd cock up, Pique is a great defender but now he plays a midfielder in Mascherano in the back 3 or 4 which is odd, they can't defend set pieces at all which is why teams like Madrid/Bilboa (LLorente) cause them allsorts of problems.

 

[Liverbirdie]

If your club announce they are appointing Coco the Clown tomorrow you should be ecstatic.

Does Coco prefer man-to-man or zonal, rotation or same as last week lads?

These things are important you know.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Think the problem with the defence is they don't defend lol, Alves is more like a right winger, Puyol is liabel to the odd cock up, Pique is a great defender but now he plays a midfielder in Mascherano in the back 3 or 4 which is odd, they can't defend set pieces at all which is why teams like Madrid/Bilboa (LLorente) cause them allsorts of problems.

They lost Abidal as well due to his health problems think that is why Mash is playing at the back. Puyol is liable to the odd cock up but it is rare. They dont have much defending to do really as you say may be part of the problem.

 

[Marshy77]

They lost Abidal as well due to his health problems think that is why Mash is playing at the back. Puyol is liable to the odd cock up but it is rare. They dont have much defending to do really as you say may be part of the problem.

Definitely. I'm a massive Barca fan and love the way they play, I'm not sure I buy into the whole press thing about the desire going etc I just think they maybe got too relaxed rather than big headed and maybe took there foot of the gas a little. The plan B thing is worrying though and that in the end cost them a place in the champions league final.