Pep Guardiola / New Barca Manager

[Darkon]

AVB is being touted as favorite for the manager job this morning.

[Gingawaria]

Honours (as manager): 3 La Liga titles, 1 Copa Del Rey, 2 Champions League titles, 2 Uefa Super Cups, 2 Fifa World Club Cups.

Honours (as player): 6 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Reys, 1 Supercopa de Espana, 1 European Cup, 2 Uefa Super Cups, 1 Uefa Cup Winners' Cup, 1 Olympic gold medal.

What a record he's got.

That record stacks up against anyones.

[Alex]

I am sure Guardiola was only playing 2 years ago for Barca. Seems he left them 11 years ago when he was 30. **** I feel old

[Gingawaria]

I was convinced he went straight from playing for them to their backroom. Had no idea he played on for 5 years after leaving them!

[Shaggy]

Went to Roma and Brescia didn't he.

[Pablo]

Just how good a manager does everyone think Guardiola is then?

How much of Barca's success was down to him and how much of it was down to the overall setup at the club?

He's had incredible success so in a way it's ludicrous to even question him, but Barca is such a unique club I will be fascinated to see how he gets on elsewhere.

[Alex]

Just how good a manager does everyone think Guardiola is then?

How much of Barca's success was down to him and how much of it was down to the overall setup at the club?

He's had incredible success so in a way it's ludicrous to even question him, but Barca is such a unique club I will be fascinated to see how he gets on elsewhere.

I think he is an incredible player. Barca were good 4 years ago. But they are out of this world now, especially last season.

Dont forget Pep was a Centre half. Which makes the attacking football they play even more astounding.

[Chazza]

Reuters breaking that he is leaving at the end of the season

So they couldn't talk him out of it then

[Alex]

Dont think we will see a team this good again for a while.

[Shaggy]

Just how good a manager does everyone think Guardiola is then?

How much of Barca's success was down to him and how much of it was down to the overall setup at the club?

He's had incredible success so in a way it's ludicrous to even question him, but Barca is such a unique club I will be fascinated to see how he gets on elsewhere.

It will be fascinating but he deserves all the credit for the success Barca have had. Look where they were when he took over, the players he had the bottle to ditch (Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco and others), he changed Messi's position with unbelievable results....I could go on. Makes me laugh when people claim "anyone could do that job", it's a ludicrous thing to say.

[Pablo]

I think he is an incredible player. Barca were good 4 years ago. But they are out of this world now, especially last season.

Dont forget Pep was a Centre half. Which makes the attacking football they play even more astounding.

He was a defensive midfielder really, not a CB, but your point still stands

[Phoenix07]

Messi's transition from a wide player to a false number nine was planned by Rijkaard beforehand. I remember his interview on that and the idea of moving him.

Either way, Guardiola's done a fantastic job. The players knew they had to buck up their ideas with him the moment he took training (I think it was Xavi who said this, otherwise they'd be left behind). His tactics and innovation in terms of style went above what was already there. Furthermore, his psychology on the players continually inspired them to do better and stick to the philosophy.

No doubt about it, one of the best.

[Pablo]

It will be fascinating but he deserves all the credit for the success Barca have had. Look where they were when he took over, the players he had the bottle to ditch (Ronaldinho, Deco and others), he changed Messi's position with unbelievable results....I could go on. Makes me laugh when people claim "anyone could do that job", it's a ludicrous thing to say.

Very true, all good points, they are a completely different level now to what they were before he took over.

Still can't help having the lingering doubt he might flop wherever he goes next as whichever team it is will expect instant Barca style football and is likely to be disappointed.

[Imy]

Pep Guardiola to end reign as Barcelona coach in summer

Pep Guardiola will quit as Barcelona manager at the end of the season after deciding not to renew his one-year contract, Reuters news agency reports.

The 41-year-old, who made 479 appearances for Barca between 1990 and 2001, was appointed in 2008 and has led the Catalan club to 13 trophies.

But they look set to miss out to Real Madrid in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.

It is understood that Guardiola will take a year-long break from the game.

More to follow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17855980

[Phoenix07]

Perfect timing for the Man Utd job.