ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Barcelona - Why Pep Guardiola left Barcelona

Posted by Francesc Tomas on 05/19/2012

Pep Guardiola decided to leave his post as Barcelona manager in what was a highly anticipated and expected decision. The Catalan Master had been signing one-year contracts since he landed the Blaugrana job back in 2008, always arguing his time at the Camp Nou was limited and dependent on the 'feeling' he got from the players - which brings out the question: What really happened that made him leave?

Guardiola-Rosell: An Empty Relationship?

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Pep Guardiola was given the chance to manage Barcelona by Joan Laporta, for which the Catalan coach will be eternally grateful.

Long story cut short: The former president left Barcelona in debt (reported to be around €442 million) after just eight years in charge. After such a financially unsuccessful term as president, Joan Laporta was replaced by his former friend and now arch-enemy Sandro Rosell (more detail here), leaving Guardiola working under a guy who he respected but didn't necessarily get on with.

The situation made Pep increasingly uncomfortable. A clear example: Rosell's eagerness to stay away from the media focus left Guardiola alone to defend our club's honour from accusations of drug-taking, accepting refereeing favours and other rubbish from the Madrid-based media.

To make matters worse, here is what Joan Laporta had to say about Guardiola's departure:

"Rosell has not done enough to keep Guardiola as manager. Pep is right to leave because the new board have an obsession to destroy everything that we built together during our time at Barcelona"

My opinion on the matter is clear: Sandro Rosell is managing Barcelona's finances sensibly but should have a more visible presence to defend the club from external attacks. Joan Laporta ruined our club's economy and, if he loves Barcelona as much as he says he does, should remain quiet at this time of transition instead of damaging our club from the outside. As for Guardiola, I believe he has every right to leave if that is his wish.

The interest of Barcelona must prevail above external people who are no longer involved with the club. This is a time to stay together and support those are staying: Sandro Rosell, Zubizarreta and Tito Vilanova.

No time for another never-ending Battle Of Egos: Cules deserve better.

Guardiola-Players: The Stress Of Managing Stars

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Pep Guardiola has always been able to keep his players under control, which was key to his legendary success. His 24-hour approach to the job is regarded as highly-effective but exhausting at the same time.

In modern football, players are young, famous, successful millionaires who are considered semi-gods by millions of adoring fans all across the world. At Barcelona, the situation has been accentuated by the tremendous success achieved under Guardiola - 13 out of 17 titles so far, hopefully 14 after the Copa Del Rey final.

As Cruyff explained yesterday:

"Coaching Barcelona is a difficult job, the coach must control many egos. His energy has run out, which is normal. It's best to leave"

As I explained in this previous article, I sense some players have let Guardiola down this season. Whether we like it or not, the Pique-Shakira story has not helped the Catalan giant's performances, Dani Alves' behaviour has been erratic at times (which may end up influencing others such as Thiago or Messi unless it changes), Pedro's tremendous drop in form is difficult to explain...

Let's hope Rosell, Zubizarreta and Vilanova are capable and brave enough to take necessary decisions to ensure Barcelona continue to be competitive at the highest European level next season.

Guardiola-Vilanova: A True Friendship

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Barcelona's sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, was always aware of the possibility that Guardiola would eventually leave Barcelona - It was hardly a secret, wasn't it? As a result, Zubi has spent most of the last year researching the market for new coaches who could continue our current, trademark style into the future.

After months of analysing many possibilities (it is believed Marcelo Bielsa, Frank De Boer, Laurent Blanc or Villas-Boas were all considered), the choice was to ask Pep's assistant, Tito Vilanova, to take the job - which he did.

The Madrid-based media, as expected, has been quick to find all sorts of problems with this transition: Did Tito accept the job without Guardiola knowing? Should Tito have left too? Has Tito betrayed Pep? Are Zubizarreta and Pep on speaking terms? Did Guardiola leave so he could return with Laporta in the future?

I would be very surprised if Pep was anything but terribly happy for his life-long friend's promotion as it ensures the essence of his Barcelona idea will be carried on as a result. Those who doubt the purity of Guardiola's feelings clearly don't know him at all: An respectable Blaugrana man with true values.

As a born Catalan, I have witnessed how Real Madrid always use their immense power within the Spanish press to their advantage, always trying to downplay Barcelona's achievements and create doubt in cules' minds - The current media storm after Guardiola's departure was fully expected, so there is definitely no need to worry.

To be honest, the best thing to do at this point is let them talk in the background and ignore them.

What We Learned

Whenever a sportsperson who has achieved legendary status leaves the team they built their careers in, a massive hole which is virtually impossible to fill is left behind. It happened at Ferrari after Schumacher's departure, the LA Lakers after Phil Jackson and, closer to home, at Barcelona after Johan Cruyff was sacked back in 1996 after years of violent disagreements with former president Núñez.

Talking about what could have been or may have happened if Guardiola had stayed is a pointless exercise, as it won't help Barcelona move forward.

Tito Vilanova is bound to make many mistakes on the job but, if we love the Blaugrana as much as we say we do, we will give him time to rectify them instead of looking back at the time when his friend Pep made us the stronger team on Earth.

Times are about to change: Let's build the future together.

Tots units fem força!

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Have Your Say

What did you think of this article?

Do you think Pep Guardiola's departure will damage Barcelona's future?

How do you feel about the Madrid-based media storm?

Is Tito Vilanova the right man to succeed Pep?

Did I miss out on any important points you would like to share with us?

I welcome and appreciate all respectful feedback.

Força Barça!!

Posted by: Francesc Tomàs

Founder and Columnist at www.barcablog.com

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Comments

Posted by Anonymous on 05/19/2012

Up barca,pep departure is not good for the club at all and the right decision for himself but laporta is barca main virus. Jamiu saleeman

Posted by Atletico on 05/19/2012

Nice article and I think you nailed the key questions down. Seems very of that someone would leave arguably the best coaching job in the world under no pressure from fans. There is either some major

drama within the team our Guardiola is truly a man among men and whose word should be taken as fact. There is little evidence to show that it's anything but the latter.
I would guess the replacement coach will do fine. Just about anyone would with that squad. I think Guardiola will be back in Catalunya once a crisis destroys the team. Guardiola is so beloved that he will probably rise in regional politics and lead some Sort of movement to separate Catalunta from Spain. Even though I an not aBarca fan, the team had given me pride to be Spanish. Good luck to them in the future.

Posted by Fair play on 05/19/2012

Is the richest man in the world the best person in the world? - most unlikely. Is the coach who won league titles in different countries the best football person in the world, of course not. The best person(s) in any walk of life is the person who have done something for the good of the work they ivolved in. Can Mourinho be a good person as well as a good coach? - not in a million year. However, Guardiola doesn't need to prove himself to be the best coach any time because he is a decent human being respected for what he has achieved in football and many true football lovers all over the world are sincerely grateful for the joy, happiness and dignity that he brought to the normally ugly and selfish games of football.

Posted by Jorge on 05/20/2012

Barcelona will miss a lot Guardiola. He is unique. I would like to see Josh Low in Barcelona. I think that He could make a great job ... By the Way great article

Posted by endahf7 on 05/20/2012

you are absolutely RIGHT !
Gracias Pep , Welcome Tito and Forca Barca !!!

Posted by brighton on 05/20/2012

Pep has done everything in football, as an achiever he had nothing more to prove & the only thing he had to prove was he had a partner whom he wants to show the world what Tito is made of...& mark my words pep knows the ma is capable. Only true men handover reins so that everyone plays their part, like wat pep did..Some they praise themselves like mou & recently CR7..and self praising??????

Posted by MOHAMMED ZARUDEEN on 05/20/2012

I THINK PEP GARDIOLA IS GREAT COACH AND HE KNOWS WHY HE DICIDED TO LIVE AFTER THIS SEASON

Posted by AJ Safado on 05/20/2012

As brilliant as Pep had been, he has clearly lost it. The lineup for the 2nd match against Madrid was awful, deciding to go with Tello and Alcantara over Cesc and Alexis. He made a poor lineup decision in the 2nd leg against Chelsea. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for developing the youth and getting them experience, but not in the two biggestest games of the year. Hell, we still had a chance to win the league and CL before those matches, and he set the team up for failure. All good things must come to an end, I'm glad to see him go so we we can move on as a club. Messi can't do it by himself, and we need to get a top striker up front to play with him.

Posted by Muhydeen giwa on 05/20/2012

Pep is a fantanstic coach but tito is a right man to succeed him bcos they work together. I wish him best of luck like chelsea coach

Posted by vivek on 05/21/2012

Whatever you say, Pep knew his era was over. And is great because he had courage to leave with dignity and pride.

Posted by johnie on 05/21/2012

As a barca fan i believe pep left at the time when the club still needed him most however having worked with tito during his tenure, i believe tito can carry on the mantle.

Posted by forse bertand on 05/21/2012

we love pep don,t go please

Posted by Nnamdinho on 05/21/2012

Brilliant piece..I'm a manchester United fan but i admire the way PeP comports himself.He is a brilliant example to any sports man..I will alwso miss his dapper sense of style haha..
I think it's better to leave when you know you have exhausted all your resources and appointing Tito to me is a good move, he will and simply carry on the tradition and add his own personal flavour to the team.He looks a stern man.Lets see how he does :)

Posted by Olusegun Kappo on 05/21/2012

I really love this Article and what I think is as follos:
I do not think Vilanova's replacement is the best. I think its a kind of set-up to Gaudiola and this is among reasons he's leaving the Club.
The madrid based media are trying to pull the club down and Rosel & Zubizaretta both not doing well in defending the club medially, they left Gurdiola to face and answer every unberable questions. I think they left this guy to do all the working; which takes away his relaxing time and got tired in the process.
Lastly, I belived Gurdiola will return in the future when the rulling house in Barcelona had damaged the Club. Gurdiola did what is the best by resigning. Viva Barca

Posted by Hirale on 05/21/2012

Am requesting 2 solve ths mata down and pep should come back as soon as possible

Posted by ezfulus on 05/21/2012

barca's going down :p

Posted by Kay mighty on 05/21/2012

Tito is a good guess/gamble. He should have known Guardiola inside out and should have learnt a lot even if he didn't know anything before. The true test for the future will come in the Spanish super cup because that will be the first impression and first impression they say............ Leave Madrid alone, they are kidding giants. Guardiola is exhausted. It may be easy to get to the top but to stay there and maintain it is arduous. We hope for a good time under Vilanova

Posted by Ultimateboy on 05/21/2012

Waoh!!! This is a very nice article. Though Barca will miss Guardiola for the great job he has done, but life has to continue as it is known that he can't continue coaching the team for ever. As per Madrid-based media, let them continue to broadcast whatever story they feel like, but the fact is, they are doing that because they are obsessed with Barca. Barca board made a very good decision by appointing Vilanova. Just like 4 years when Guardiola was appointed, everyone was angry but at the end, we are all happy. Vilanova will have a happy ending at Barca (hopefully). Barca for life!!! Messi for life... Forza Barca

Posted by franklin on 05/21/2012

Bercelona need another keeper

Posted by Jacob m audu on 05/21/2012

Joseph pep guardiola is one of the best coach in the world i have ever seign considering the fact that "when you are right no one remember but when you are wrong no one forget" i.e i love guardiola let barcelona fc retain him at all course. Long life barcelona f.c, long life barcelona players and long life my country nigerian i love u all barcelona fans.

Posted by Seamless on 05/22/2012

What a nice and juicy article.
Pep has tried as a coach for barcelona by taking the club's football to a level that every club in the world would always dream to rich. I believe this is the right time for him to leave as he seems to have reached the zenith of his tactical capability. Tito having worked with him I believe will be the right person to uphold the legendary tradition.
Long live entertainment home

Posted by sly nana johnson on 05/22/2012

pep should have stayed and challenge the special one.This will make La Liga more interesting and competitive.

Posted by chimaobi azu on 05/22/2012

pep is the man, he possesses all the qualities of a good coach, i really belive that he is 100 percent sure of what he is doing.

Posted by OLAWALE on 05/22/2012

pep is my idea coach.he did everything he could for the club. he gave his best and believe his best was good enough for as fans,i pray that God gives him rest wherever he goes.I believe that the manager:Tito,will do the same thing for the club,even better

Posted by juma paul on 05/22/2012

I think the josep should just change his mind and take berca to the next level. Pliz can you send me the list of berca's 1st eleven squard for the kings cup final on may,25th, 2012.

Posted by OKEKWU ATE MUSA on 05/22/2012

Changes is permanent in any human endeavour, without the exit of Riskard there will be no Pep, The stepping down of Pep may seems worrisome but I am sure that Barcelona will record more achievement than what is obtainable in pep era, I am also convince in my inner heart that some area that barc are lacking in their play will be put right.I am also using this opportunity to beg Barcelona to buy an attacker, messi is a winger, villa is out for enjury, we need an attacker, Against chelsea we could have won the game if we have a natural attacker, so also, penalty in a crucial match should not be left for messi, let another player play, Fabreaga and Alexis are good penalty shooter, let them be giving the opportunity.

Posted by VICTOR NGHIULIKWA on 05/22/2012

I think Gaurdiola will destroy his career as a coach,because there is no team in the world that play the same football as Barca do.mybe he can go to Arsenal,who knows?why did he take such a stupit decision to leave such a great team,although they lost la liga crown?i know most of the teams would loves to take him but it'll be difficult for him to build a team.nevertheless, your article is so interesting.

Posted by Hardey on 05/22/2012

I am surprised about the various comments people are making. Barcelona will outlive Pep. Pep was just lucky to have the players who were at their peak of their career during his tenure. Give same set of players to any coach including my mum, they will match or even excel his record. The forms of those players have dipped. Pep knows this hence he bowed out quickly. If Pep is as good as people think, let him go to another club with different set of players and see if he will achieve as he did at Barca. Sentiment must be put aside. Barca must move forward. Why would a coach be signing a year contract each time? Let's face facts, there are many better coaches around the world. Pep or no Pep, Barca must be future looking and not dwell in thPep era. You know a good coach by different leagues he won with different leagues. Give Tito the respect he deserves. Pep is gone and it is bye bye. Welcome to the era of Tito. If pep wants to proof himself as a sound coach, let him go to English Premier.

Posted by Kelechi Anah on 05/22/2012

Arguements aside, Pep is a VERY good coach and Manager. Now I know why he was trying hard to concentrate in most matches, always looking tired. What manner of army General will leave his colonel to answer questions of the state? Look at it very well, Pep knew he was being set up, hence his decision to quit. Mark my words!

Posted by Joaquim Rodrigues on 05/22/2012

When I read Hardley's comment I could not think of anybody but one of those biased Mourinho's fans having a say about Barcelona nad how a coach can only prove himself when he coaches other teams !!!...and usually these guys say nothing positive. I agree that not everything in life rests on one man's shoulders...That's why I believe he did what he did .He "carried" the barcelona players (mostly very young)) like a father does to his young sons : Supportive, teaching them based on experience, caring, listening but most of all stern when the need arose...now is time to set them free and see them reach greater heights under the guidance of others and see them grow further ...nothing sinister !!! HE DID WONDERS AND HE DESERVES EVERYONE'S RESPECT - INCLUDING OUR "FRIEND MOURINHO"

Posted by bimbo on 05/22/2012

I think Guardiola was a great coach and him leaving will sure leave a vacuum in all the players he has coached.We all love you Guardiola and we will always support every decision you make.

Posted by Davin on 05/23/2012

He had the right set of players to carry out his game plan. Created a good style of play. But a good coach is the ones who wins anywhere with any given team. Pep is a good manager for Barcelona. Elsewhere???
Anyway i hope the guys gets to recharge his batteries and comeback with a bang. Hopefully managing another team to success. We've seen the best of manager come to the BPL just to get sacked in 1/2 a season. Why??? They dont have the right players to execute their plans and worst they cant make existing players understand any part of their plans!!!
PEP has won everything at club level..hats of to that!! But its a mad world of football out there...keeping all those loose heads disciplined is not easy...after all..he is not Alex Ferguson.
The Man deserves a rest and a normal life!!
So long Pep!!! We hope to see you soon...hopefullly in the BPL :)

Posted by anfielder on 05/23/2012

nice article...you made a good point of a big legend leaving and the aftermath to the club...nevertheless, i sense some parallel in current barcelona setup to my liverpool of 80's where guardiola's replacement is coming from within the club to ensure continuity of the club tradition, playing philosophy and winning mentality..if guardialo the visionary can be likened to shankly, then tito hopefully can be paisley...go barca!!

Posted by Gbadebo A on 05/23/2012

Pep destroy barca in his last session.He lost the idea of tactical changes.Look at a game against Chelsea at st/bridge he left pique on d best and small squard also Real madrid he lost it.while Tello 4 God sake against Real madrid?look at his line up against Osasuna is worst I ve ever seen 4 more 18years as die hard supporter.when David villa got injured he personally to buy striker to make the loss.He completely lost it.also while using three defender for God sake.sure am mad with this guy.when he won Treble in his 1st session he made use of 4-3-3 but bcos he wants to accomodate fabregas he change tactis to 3-4-3 .it is unfair to fans thou I acknowledged his great job,result oriented fellow and trophy laden man.oh!as any choach in the world won 13 trophy (s) in 4years.kudos to him.I think he was right to have left because he has lost the idea no more no less

Posted by Mphatika on 05/23/2012

Barca was there b4 pep and it was doing gud,so y borthering?no man is eternal,give others a chance to prove themselves as they did to him.Its not gud to say that tito cant deliver,what if pep had died wld they force his cops?or would the club end there?lets gv tito a try and error.

Posted by Hernandez on 05/23/2012

let the man decide for himself...Pep is a great individual as well as a great Coach...He made football fans happy all over the globe with scintillating football every week..."Hardey" judge pep by what he has done...He wasn't lucky, barca played brilliantly, a style of football that has won the hearts of true lovers of the Game... don't be quick to forget that Rijkaard's team finished 3rd before pep took over...Be grateful for what he has done...Just to remind mourinho fans that peps team played the best football and won...I will never forget pep and his team, and am certain true lovers of football will never forget pep...So please if you love boring football dont talk about Pep, because there is no Coach out there whose team has shown such brilliance...Again he does not need to coach in England to proof he is great...Maybe Di matteo can be called lucky because his team has won by not playing great...Long live beautiful football...As a fan you beta luv d beauty coz u aint gettin payed

Posted by dave on 05/23/2012

"After such an unsuccessful term as president, Joan Laporta was replaced by his former friend and now arch-enemy Sandro Rosell"

Are you serious?????? Do you remember where Barca was before Laporta came? What is wrong with you guys? You guys seem to have short term memory. Can you remember how awful you guys were before Laporta came and changed Barca? Now you are bad mouthing him. What a terrible comment.

Hardey,
You must be very new to football as your comments show that you know LITTLE about the game. Do you know where Barca was when Pep came in? The team was in shambles, Pep came in and made the team one of the greatest of all time and here you are talking nonsense. Goodness! the nerve of some people.

Posted by oscar on 05/23/2012

mou is the greatest coach ever in football history. he wins in portugal, england, italy n now spain with different club, players.
pep just crack under pressure from THE SPECIAL ONE. especially now madrid can win in nou camp, pep must feel next year barca will trophyless. so he is very smart to leave.
more than half of the trophy win by barca was given by refree. the most recently is game against milan. even ibra say he now believe mou said was true.
so for me pep is a coward. just run n not face challenge. what a shame.

Posted by osokoto on 05/23/2012

is a nice article but don't forget Pep has the opportunity to stay but he choose to chicken out for this reasons
1. The players he believes in are no more the way they use to be in three years ago and replacing them wont be easy. Xavi, Inesta, Puyol, Pique and even Messi.
2. Madrid are now getting to find their feet on the ground and with what they are playing now they will be a side to play with next sesson. Pep will have to start from where he did not start from when he took the team from Richard.
with all this in mind is better for him to run away just as he has done.

Posted by Joe lusanso on 05/23/2012

Pep will surely be missed!lets learn to appreciate other people's efforts then we can think of wat next,Otherwise long live pep you always stood up to your challenges &ensured you went forward.Viva Barca!!

Posted by Ogaga on 05/23/2012

Pep is a good coach everybody knws dat,let look ahead to d sucessfull of barca.ogagadinho say so.barca 4 life.

Posted by ARI on 05/23/2012

The facts speaks for themselves and the so too the accomplishments by Guardiola. The man has won almost every title in europe for the brief period he was manager. If we draw comparisons to other clubs and leagues there are those who remain season in season out without any silverware. Further as though annointed they refuse to leave and when they do, their is bitterness remains. What guardiola has done has left a sour taste in mouths of managers who feel they have become not a part of the team but the whole team. Finally, because we have never witnessed this type of action before, we are in shock and dismay.
Best of luck Pep

Posted by Edward on 05/23/2012

I don't think pep leaving was a good idea, but all the same as a Barcelona fan I will pray for improvement not our downfall.

Posted by Benyamin Afghan on 05/24/2012

I am an Afghan fan of Barca and Argentina. I strongly believe that Tito is the right person for this job after Pep. Inshallah Barca will carry on their brilliant style of playing with lot of trophies and success. The only thing Barca needs is to find some good defenders as replacements for the ageing players like Puyol. New comers from la Masia have really impressed me and in my opinion Barca doesn't need to make more addition to their strike force upfront while having the like of Sanchez, Villa, Thiago, Telli. At least two good defenders of young ages so that can wait for Dani Alves etc. Long live Barca and Catalonia.

Posted by henson on 05/27/2012

I a Swazi fan of Barca.Iam shocked and dismayed with the way Pep left the team because currently no one can leave the void left by him.It's high time we change Rossell as the boss otherwise our team is sinking.

Posted by merhawi on 06/01/2012

pep makes 3 big mistakes in last 3 games,any way best wish where ever u go coz u are human not creater

Posted by merhawi on 06/01/2012

ya tito vilanova is the right man coz he woks with pep & he now pep style.so, i expect more from tito vilanova .forsa tito ,barca ,messi great am fc barca fan

Posted by tee on 06/02/2012

I am a barca fan!!! I am appealing to the club to president and the board to please another goal keeper and also get a good striker that will be assisting messi. I wish Pep best of luck and also welcome Tito Vilanova the new manager. Barca for life!!! Messi for life...

Posted by Farai on 06/17/2012

Top bloke and Manager. It's a tricky one this, does he leave or stay and try do a Fergie at Barca. I want to see him stay for anohter 5 years or so, i am curious to see how he replaces players like Xavi and Iniesta, lets see if he can build a new team, almost in the manner Sir Alex has done at Utd. However. i do agree that moving to anohter club and winning trophies with them will do no harm to his reputation.

Posted by Joe Matthews on 07/08/2012

Pep Guardiola is one the best coaches ever..it was sad when he said that he will leave barca..so now we better look over and think for the next season...tito must do a good job...tito must sign new players so we can show why barca is the best team ever..no matter what the real losers say are no match for barca but now better look to the club's future...I LOVE BARCELONA....

Posted by EDWARD on 07/15/2012

barca is a 2-3 player team. let messi, xavi and iniesta not play for abt 2 months at a go and lets see if barca can still be regarded as the best team in the world?

Posted by SADIQ ABUBAKAR on 08/13/2012

we miss frank rikard, but pep we wil mis u more

Posted by BOAKAI F. MASSALAY on 08/13/2012

I miss you pep, i well went you to rest for one year time,come back to BARCELONA and do a good job.because of job you know.and make players to play well

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