During his time at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola had won three back-to-back La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, the Copa Del Rey twice, the UEFA Super Cup twice and also lead Barcelona to the World Club Title on both occasions they were entered. This title haul has led to him being widely regarded as one of the best managers in the world. In a list of the greatest managers since 2008 Pep Guardiola would be on top. During this period he has managed to change the face of football firmly planting a Catalan flag at the peak of our game which still stands in his absence.
Pep’s class and his right to be considered one of the best is not in doubt, his inclusion into a list designed to highlight the best managers of 2011-2012 season however, does deserve to be under scrutiny. During the 2011-12 La Liga season the mighty Barcelona where finally caught by Los Blancos with the juggernaut Jose Mourinho at the helm.
2011-12 was not a trophy-less season for the Catalans with Pep picking up the showpiece World Club Championship and the Copa Del Rey before departing the club he served so well. While the Copa Del Rey is not to be sniffed at, would an FA Cup winning manager be considered the best manager in Europe? If so I think Harry Redknapp might request a re-count for the 2007-08 Ballon D’or coach of the year award. Also, while winning the World Club does allow Barcelona to call themselves the best club in the world, this tournament is more of an inconvenience for Europe’s elite who already know they are better than teams from the other corners of the planet.
The following are 3 managers that it was criminal to replace with Pep Guardiola when you compare their seasons.
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7 Comments
“Then”??? Really???
Sincere apologies for my poor use of ‘Then’ in the title of all places, this shall me improved in future.
*be improved in future (I can’t stop with mistakes)
Guardiola’s inclusion is justified statiscally, he beat Madrid to the spanish super cup with a team full of injured and young players, to reach semi-final of champion’s league is a difficult task, to keep your players motivated after winning everything is not easy as well, to control and discipline a team full of super stars is not easy(ask Rijkaard). All that said, I think either of Klopp or Conte (Juventus’ manager) should be the one to replace Guardiola if FIFA should ever re-shuffle the list.
Jurgen Klopp is not included because of his poor champions league campaign last season. They finished bottom in a group with Arsenal, Marseille and Olympiacos. Manchester City did’nt have a good campaign in the champions league and got knocked out to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa league. Di Matteo may have beaten Barcelona, but the football they played is not entertaining and also they had luck in their side (missed penalties of Messi and Robben). As for Guardiola, his team has been outstanding throughout the campaign. Also, they don’t buy superstars like ManC or Chelsea, but make them. So, I think Guardiola’s name is justified.
Guardiola doesnt buy outstanding players? Villa, Sanchez, Ibrahimovic, Fabregas (bought back I know), Alba to name a few. Klopp should be on the list as he won bigger trophies than Barca, dominated Bayern Munich in everygame they played last season in an extremely competitive league. Yes, they should have done a lot better in Europe, but a 1st season in the Champions League for basically all of the players, it is understandable.
I support Jose Mourinho