Pep Guardiola to leave Barcelona

grohlisagod

This has been coming for a long time. The job brings so much pressure with it. Obviously nothing is confirmed as yet but I'd be surprised if this got in the news without it being extremely likely that he's leaving.

I would expect them to promote from within again. Guardiola has left his imprint on every aspect of the club, I can't see them bringing someone from outside with different ideas who may not fit the clubs ideology.

G.K.

Surely Eusebio Sacristan (Or however you spell it) would take control if they promoted from within?

SEPT 23 1989

nuxxx wrote: »

I wonder how Barca would play with McLeish in charge :pac:

Even better Sam Allardyce:D

miralize

I'm not believing anything about a change in Barcelona's coach until the words come out of Pep's mouth tomorrow.

kryogen

Dotsey wrote: »

he has got previous experience of winning leagues with only two teams in it though...

He has also finished 3rd in a league with just two teams in it! :eek:

carefulnow100

Hmmmm can anyone else see the special one getting the job?
Be some shock in Spain but Jose might not be at Real in a few weeks and if Barca are collecting C.v's he'd have to be in contention?

miralize

carefulnow100 wrote: »

Hmmmm can anyone else see the special one getting the job?
Be some shock in Spain but Jose might not be at Real in a few weeks and if Barca are collecting C.v's he'd have to be in contention?

Not going to happen. Ever. He was interviewed for the job even before Pep came in, and they didnt want him. What would make you think that they would even take him now, especially after his constant Clasico antics?

kryogen

Na Mourinho and Barcelona are lifelong nemesis' I reckon, they need each other though as enemies!

carefulnow100

miralize wrote: »

Not going to happen. Ever. He was interviewed for the job even before Pep came in, and they didnt want him. What would make you think that they would even take him now, especially after his constant Clasico antics?

Yeah true I suppose, Forgot the whole eye gouging incident

Suppose for such a job anyone and everyone will be linked with it during the summer.

"SAF to retire to sunny Spain to manage Barca!"- The Sun / Daily Mail

Some time around July!

You heard it here first folks!

miralize

Laurent Blanc, Luis Enrique, (and perhaps Unai Emery) would be front runners I think

MoscowFlyer

Brendan Rodgers at 50s! Steal!

RayCon

What price the Gaffer ?

the untitled user

Other sources (including the Guardian) saying a decision hasn't been made yet. Also, I'm pretty sure that press conference is just the standard pre-match one before the weekend, no?

MisterAnarchy

Its disappointing news (if true) but not unexpected.
Guardiola has been under immense pressure ,he has aged badly in his 4 year stint and he was becoming more and more agitated inthe last 6 months.
I'd like to have seen him delay his decision for a few weeks instead of deciding in the heat of the moment after two bad defeats.

JPA

Why is Bielsa regarded so highly?

Hannibal

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Dalglish - but only if he promises to bring the pony tailed one with him.

I hear Barca are looking for a striker!

I was looking at Barca the other night in the second and thinking if they had the pony tailed one they'd break Chelsea down.. but in terms of what we have the likes of Reina, Johnson, Agger and Suarez would be the ones that would fit their present system.

But I'll wait until tomorrow to see if Pep is definitely leaving, doesn't show a lot for his character to walk the fit season he's not successful. It would show more from him to come back next year with Barca and take their crowns back

eagle eye

Its been clear for the last two years, and PaullyD posted an article from 2010, that he was always going to take a break. Good luck to him and I hope he comes back to the game because what he achieved with Barca was truly amazing.

Luis Enrique obviously would be a big favourite for the job. I'd expect that Rosell will appoint from within/former coach. I don't know if Tito Vilanova would be interested but he'd be one of the favourites imo if he is. Either him or Enrique is who I'd fancy to get it.

Hannibal

Luis Enrique would have been odds on only for his less than impressive season with Roma, can't see Barca gambling with him on the back of this

~Rebel~

JPA wrote: »

Why is Bielsa regarded so highly?

Mostly I guess his time with Chile, and the style of football he had them playing. Bilbao play some fantastic stuff at times too, though they should really be a little higher in the league given the players at their disposal, but still, they've pretty much maintained the status quo and are on course for around the same points total and position as last year (6th), and with both Malaga and Levante stumbling ahead of them they could even snatch 4th.

I think he's shown that what he offers as a coach would match well with the philosophy of Barca as a club.

dfx-

NukaCola wrote: »

I think this is more likely tbh

Especially if it genuinely a year break.

It's probably more of a Mika Hakkinen type "one year" break, giving him time to relax and then confirm it.

monkey9

Not that much of a surprise. It's always a possibility when he signs a year deal every year! Sad to see him go though, if true.

I suppose the obvious choice is Bielsa!!




Or Liam Buckley!!

kryogen

JPA wrote: »

Why is Bielsa regarded so highly?

Cause hes good, building a good team, playing good football.

speedboatchase

To me at least, Bielsa is the most overhyped man in football since the night Bale scored a few against Inter. Pay Jurgen Klopp whatever it takes and they'll be grand

Phoenix Park

No chance of AVB getting it but if they had patience i think he'd be a great fit for them. A high line and Pique strutting out would suit AVB's tactics down to the ground. Couldn't teach old dogs (who didn't want to be schooled) new tricks at Chelsea but he'd do better at Barca as they already subscribe to his style and then bring it on another level. Won't happen anyway, they wouldn't go for him.

monkey9

speedboatchase wrote: »

To me at least, Bielsa is the most overhyped man in football since the night Bale scored a few against Inter. Pay Jurgen Klopp whatever it takes and they'll be grand

I really don't think Klopp will leave Dortmund for a couple of seasons at least, no matter who comes in for him! I have a slight feeling he'll eventually take over from Wenger.

Bielsa's a good manager who likes to play good passing football so i suppose that's why he's one of the bookies favourites!!

Turtwig

Chelsea win this years CL, Barca take on AVB for next year and win the sextuplet next year. That would be some irony (highly unlikely though).

kitakyushu

Bielsa is definitely the man for the job. I think Barca could be literally frightening if he could get them to play Bilbao's game with better players.

JPA

Biesla might play a good style but is it a winning style? He hasn't won much for a 55 year old.

But I guess Barca don't necessarily think like that given the inexperience of their last 2 appointments.

kryogen

May win the Copa Del Rey this season just the little matter of beating Barcelona first! The Europa League too obviously

monkey9

kryogen wrote: »

May win the Copa Del Rey this season just the little matter of beating Barcelona first!

That's a good point actually. People calling Bielsa overhyped, but he's gotten Bilboa to the final of the Copa Del Rey and the Europa League playing quality football!!

Turtwig

monkey9 wrote: »

That's a good point actually. People calling Bielsa overhyped, but he's gotten Bilboa to the final of the Copa Del Rey and the Europa League playing quality football!!

Not only that but Pep regards him as the best coach in football and one of his inspirations. So . .. he can't be that bad can he?

Warper

Bielsa would be an awful appointment for a club like Barca. He is just a cup manager whose teams have volatile results. Bilbao have been poor in the League this year and Bielsa is too long in the tooth to change his ways now. He wouldnt be able to handle Barcelona. What has he actually won? Practically impossible to replace Pep but i would defo give AVB an interview. Del Bosque, Enrique or Joachim Loew would be other possibles.

G.K.

I utterly disagree, Biesla would be a great manager. The physical exertions of a team not used to a pressing game to Biesla's intensity is the biggest reason for the poor league form. With a team like Barca who'll be on another echelon of fitness, he could work wonders. Fantastic tactical mind too.

MD1990

Bielsa done a great job at Chile too
took them too the 2010 WC

Morzadec

If Guardiola is to go Barca should hire someone familiar with the philosophy and runnings of the club. Either bring back Luis Enrique or perhaps promote someone from within the club.

Just my feeling anyway.

Warper

G.K. wrote: »

I utterly disagree, Biesla would be a great manager. The physical exertions of a team not used to a pressing game to Biesla's intensity is the biggest reason for the poor league form. With a team like Barca who'll be on another echelon of fitness, he could work wonders. Fantastic tactical mind too.

Bielsa prefers a big lump of a CF, something that Barca dont have. He is too crazy for a club of Barca's stature. His Argie team in 2002 prob. gave the worst performances of any Argie team in WC history. The last thing Barca need is a Bielsa managing them.

Warper

MD1990 wrote: »

Bielsa done a great job at Chile too
took them too the 2010 WC

Wow

elefant

miralize wrote: »

Laurent Blanc, Luis Enrique, (and perhaps Unai Emery) would be front runners I think

Emery hasn't a hope in hell of getting the job.

Can't believe Puyol is at 6's on that oddschecker someone linked :pac:

Warper

Morzadec wrote: »

If Guardiola is to go Barca should hire someone familiar with the philosophy and runnings of the club. Either bring back Luis Enrique or perhaps promote someone from within the club.

Just my feeling anyway.

Agreed. This next appointment is one of the biggest choices ever for Barca and time is needed to ensure they get the right man. I like the idea of Del Bosque taking it. Proven hand and also a classy guy. When sacked from Real after winning the CL he thanked Real for the honour of managing them. He knows all the Spanish players and has won the Euros/WC playing a Barca style.

Morzadec

monkey9 wrote: »

That's a good point actually. People calling Bielsa overhyped, but he's gotten Bilboa to the final of the Copa Del Rey and the Europa League playing quality football!!

Yet Daglish also gets Liverpool to two cup finals (ok one not such a big trophy, but I would argue Bilbao's path to the Copa del Rey final was easier than Liverpool's to the Carling Cup) and put in a similar league performance to Bielsa and he gets absolutely slated! They have almost identical win % records.

Fair enough the expectations and amounts of money invested differ, but lets not forget that Bilbao are blessed with some quality players. Llorente, Muniain and Javi Martinez could all play for any of the top European teams.

Some posters here are perhaps swayed by the brilliant performance that Bilbao put in against Man Utd, which I would wager is the only two games they have seen them play this year.

I think Barca need to go with someone who has worked within the very set philosophy they seem to have within the club, or else hire a manager who has experiencing managing a top team that goes out to win every week

Warper

Morzadec wrote: »

Yet Daglish also gets Liverpool to two cup finals (ok one not such a big trophy, but I would argue Bilbao's path to the Copa del Rey final was easier than Liverpool's to the Carling Cup) and put in a similar league performance to Bielsa and he gets absolutely slated! They have almost identical win % records.

Fair enough the expectations and amounts of money invested differ, but lets not forget that Bilbao are blessed with some quality players. Llorente, Muniain and Javi Martinez could all play for any of the top European teams.

Some posters here are perhaps swayed by the brilliant performance that Bilbao put in against Man Utd, which I would wager is the only two games they have seen them play this year.

I think Barca need to go with someone who has worked within the very set philosophy they seem to have within the club, or else hire a manager who has experiencing managing a top team that goes out to win every week

Nail on head

Turtwig

I think Barca need to go with someone who has worked within the very set philosophy they seem to have within the club, or else hire a manager who has experiencing managing a top team that goes out to win every game

Arsene Wenger and Rvp to Barca in exchange for guardiola? :pac:

Xavi6

Give it to Sven

kitakyushu

Warper wrote: »

Bielsa prefers a big lump of a CF, something that Barca dont have.

Chile's tallest striker at world cup 2010 was 5'11. He generally went with 5'7 Suazo at CF. Plus Bielsa didn't even sign Llorente so it's not as tho having the big man up front there was part of some masterplan. I'm sure the manager can work with what he's given.

Besides Bielsa if must have a 'big lump' up front then I'm sure Barca would be willing to buy him one. They had Ibra there not too long ago so it's not unheard of.

Shanotheslayer

Agree with Warper I'd be happy with Del Bosque taking over for Pep

kryogen

Morzadec wrote: »

Yet Daglish also gets Liverpool to two cup finals (ok one not such a big trophy, but I would argue Bilbao's path to the Copa del Rey final was easier than Liverpool's to the Carling Cup) and put in a similar league performance to Bielsa and he gets absolutely slated! They have almost identical win % records.

Fair enough the expectations and amounts of money invested differ, but lets not forget that Bilbao are blessed with some quality players. Llorente, Muniain and Javi Martinez could all play for any of the top European teams.

Some posters here are perhaps swayed by the brilliant performance that Bilbao put in against Man Utd, which I would wager is the only two games they have seen them play this year.

I think Barca need to go with someone who has worked within the very set philosophy they seem to have within the club, or else hire a manager who has experiencing managing a top team that goes out to win every week

Are you for cereal?

PhlegmyMoses

G.K. wrote: »

I utterly disagree, Biesla would be a great manager. The physical exertions of a team not used to a pressing game to Biesla's intensity is the biggest reason for the poor league form. With a team like Barca who'll be on another echelon of fitness, he could work wonders. Fantastic tactical mind too.

I'm not sure why you would think that the Barca players are fitter than Bilbao's. What is this based on? I would have thought that the fitness levels would be pretty similar. If it is because of the pressing game, surely Bielsa would have his players training fitness-wise with a view to playing this kind of game.

Morzadec

kryogen wrote: »

Are you for cereal?

Yes, I think people are getting carried away with Bilbao's two cup runs - one of which they only beat teams considered smaller clubs and of a worse playing squad, and one of which I'll take my hat off to him and say he's done brilliantly to get them that far. It seems that the fact that Bilbao have only won 12 of 34 games in the league is being ignored, in a year where 4th is really up for grabs. Okay Liverpool have made an outlay of about £30m more than Bilbao, and of course Bilbao are hampered by their transfer policy so more is to be expected, but like I said their seasons are comparable in terms of what has been achieved so far. It's a bit disrespectful to some of the earlier players mentioned to suggest they have massively overachieved this season. Like I said we're talking about some top quality players who would fetch big figures in the transfer market. My point is that if Daglish's performance is to be slated then certainly Bielsa's is not to be lauded too highly.

He hasn't improved upon their league position (so far) from last year. Of course there is the possibility of that changing, but as of now the league performance can be described as disappointing given the quality of some of the players available. And he has no experience managing a really top club side.

Like I said, with the way Barca seem to have implemented a system from youth level, up to reserves up to senior level, I think, if there is a viable option, someone who is familiar with these workings and with the club should take the job. If there is no one considered suitable, then a manager experienced at challenging at the very highest level should be chosen.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they'll hire Bielsa and he'll be a big success. I just think some posters are perhaps getting carried away by his involvement in the romance of Bilbao's cup runs and the defeat of Man Utd.

Will I Amnt

Comparing to Dalglish is pointless,Bilbao did not have the same targets as Liverpool.
They were not expecting a top 4 finish,theyre not nearly as successful a club in their domestic league.
Not to mention money spent.
They have overachieved in many ways.
It's chalk and cheese really.

Blatter

To be fair Cambo, take out the money spent and the expectations, there is very little between the abilities of the Bilbao squad and the Liverpool one so the comparison isn't a bad one.

Bilbao have done nothing out of the ordinary in the league this season, I'd definitely agree that people are massively overrating them and Bielsa because of the games against United, games which were two of the biggest in a lot of the Bilbao players' careers, whereas it was fairly obvious United weren't taking the competition all that seriously.

I've felt that Wenger going there has been on the cards for a while now once Guardiola leaves. One last big job, would fit Barca's philosophy and is proven.