Pep's Arrival

[RamiCFC9 258]

No I'm not hyping him as Superman, simply as a football visionary and the greatest coach in thr history of Barcelona. It's easy to look back now and say he inherited the best team ever, the reality was very different. He took over a team that had just been beaten over 2 legs by Man Utd, a side split into two camps by the Eto'o/Ronaldinho feud and while it did contain the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol, those players were considered underachievers at both club and international level and were not (with the exception of Puyol) considered the world beaters that they are today. Guardiola went in there, ended the feud and got rid of some big names who were causing problems, united the dressing room and created a system and perfected a philosophy that made this Barcelobaxside the greatest team to ever play the game. Listen to Messi speak about Guardiola, hear how much he says he owes to Guardiola in making him the player that he is today. No other manager could have commanded the kind of respect that Guardiola did in that Barcelona dressing room, he was the boyhood hero of Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas. As I say the argument that he doesn't have a plan B isn't correct, what you mean is that he didn't have a target man but when plan A is so successful, plan B would simply be a hindrance, after all what world class target man would be content with sitting on the bench, only getting a chance to play on the off chance that Barcelona struggle against Inter or Chelsea in Europe. As has already been well documented and previously stated in this thread, he never intended on staying long anyway, his stay lasted longer than he originally intended.

Pretty much the best post about Pep in this thread.Ppl think that Pep inherited super-human squad but actually at the time Pep got appointed, Barca were in ruins.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

No I dont.

Absolutely that helps, though by the same token you could certainly compliment him on promoting a raft of youth team players to the first team squad. While those who came through the Barcelona system obviously learned to play the Barcelona way, what you dont mention is the massive impact Guardiola has had on that Barcelona way and how he has tweaked it into the most dominating style of football anyone has ever seen.

The actual Barcelona way was developed before 10-15 years, it's generally credited to Johann Cruyff who brought a total football element to Barcelona, which Guardiola then worked off to create the most successful side in the club's history. Who expects him to change things overnight? Give him time and he will change things. Roman Abramovich is said to be a huge fan of the Barcelona way and the work Pep did at the club, he would certainly have the backing to change things. What other manager at Chelsea would have had both that power to change the entire structure of the club and also the ability to perform such a change?

Perhaps but given just how long he has admired Guardiola for, Id be fairly confident that he would last a little longer than 6 months.

How exactly has he tweeked it though ?

That's like saying Avram Grant tweeked TSO's team to get us to the CL FInal in 2008 .....and for the record, I did say 10-15 years minimum.

Scolari, Ancelotti and AVB were all brought in to change how we played. When they failed with the open exciting football Roman wanted to see, we went back to what we know best which is basically defend and hit on the break. This way of playing had brought us so much success over the last decade. PG will be asked to create at Chelsea what everyone sees at Barcelona. When he tries to get us playing that way and it goes tits up like every other manager before him Roman will not hesitate to get shafted of him

PG will just be another manager to add to the "tried and failed" list in Romans litle black book.

If he does come I'll wish him all the best, but I know that I'll be back on here saying I told you so when he gets his P45.

[Kez 2,727]

How exactly has he tweeked it though ?

That's like saying Avram Grant tweeked TSO's team to get us to the CL FInal in 2008 .....and for the record, I did say 10-15 years minimum.

Scolari, Ancelotti and AVB were all brought in to change how we played. When they failed with the open exciting football Roman wanted to see, we went back to what we know best which is basically defend and hit on the break. This way of playing had brought us so much success over the last decade. PG will be asked to create at Chelsea what everyone sees at Barcelona. When he tries to get us playing that way and it goes tits up like every other manager before him Roman will not hesitate to get shafted of him

PG will just be another manager to add to the "tried and failed" list in Romans litle black book.

If he does come I'll wish him all the best, but I know that I'll be back on here saying I told you so when he gets his P45.

Stuart!!!!!!!! where have you been all my life?!

[Shane 2,275]

Pretty much the best post about Pep in this thread.Ppl think that Pep inherited super-human squad but actually at the time Pep got appointed, Barca were in ruins.

They lost 1-0 in a Semi final of a Champions League, hardly fucking ruins in fairness.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Stuart!!!!!!!! where have you been all my life?!

You know that big handsome guy in your naughty dreams ? :eyebrows: .......that's me...lol

Aye, been pretty hectic here lately, just getting my life back in order.

[Kez 2,727]

You know that big handsome guy in your naughty dreams ? :eyebrows: .......that's me...lol

Aye, been pretty hectic here lately, just getting my life back in order.

Thought I recognised him! Good to see you back, hope you are sticking around

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Thought I recognised him! Good to see you back, hope you are sticking around

Cheers, I've popped on now and again to keep up to speed with things, just haven't felt the urge to get involved in the debates.

They're a feisty lot

[Jase 43,479]

They lost 1-0 in a Semi final of a Champions League, hardly fucking ruins in fairness.

It wasn't the Champions League semi final defeat that was the problem back then. Nothing to do with that. There were tons internal conflict at the club, lots of dead woods, players being delusional with the situation at the club and among others and Guardiola came in revamp the squad and settle things at the club.

[Shane 2,275]

It wasn't the Champions League semi final defeat that was the problem back then. Nothing to do with that. There were tons internal conflict at the club, lots of dead woods, players being delusional with the situation at the club and among others and Guardiola came in revamp the squad and settle things at the club.

What internal problems? What players we're being delusional and what would you sight in as among others?

[Jase 43,479]

What internal problems? What players we're being delusional and what would you sight in as among others?

Maybe you should try doing some research on that. It's quite a drag.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

They lost 1-0 in a Semi final of a Champions League, hardly fucking ruins in fairness.

Of course it wasn't only that, the split in the camp, finishing short in the league and the disasterous 4-1 defeat to Teak Nadrud spelled the end for Rijkaard.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

How exactly has he tweeked it though ?

That's like saying Avram Grant tweeked TSO's team to get us to the CL FInal in 2008 .....and for the record, I did say 10-15 years minimum.

Scolari, Ancelotti and AVB were all brought in to change how we played. When they failed with the open exciting football Roman wanted to see, we went back to what we know best which is basically defend and hit on the break. This way of playing had brought us so much success over the last decade. PG will be asked to create at Chelsea what everyone sees at Barcelona. When he tries to get us playing that way and it goes tits up like every other manager before him Roman will not hesitate to get shafted of him

PG will just be another manager to add to the "tried and failed" list in Romans litle black book.

If he does come I'll wish him all the best, but I know that I'll be back on here saying I told you so when he gets his P45.

You could, and others probably already have, write a book on how Guardiola has tweaked and built upon the Barcelona philosophy to turn it into the most dominating fom of football ever witnessed, a style that has led Barcelona and Soain to sweeping all before them. Before Guardiola how often did sides have 65-70% of possession in the majority of their games? While Rijkaard's Barcelina was more focused on the individual brilliance of Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco ect. Pep's Barcelona was built entirely around the team unit, from Messi to Busquets everybody works towards the greater good. Of course he also introduced the aggressive pressing game. He also even occasionally plays without a striker. There are so many things to mention and view in depth, practically each individuals role on the pitch was heavily influenced by Guardiola's philosophy. If you still have t recognised that Guardiola did a single thing then there is nothing Incan do for you because that is simply ignorance.

I don't know if you noticed by Roman is moving away from the physical side Mourinho built to a more technically complete side, the signings of Hazard, Mata, Marin, Torres, De Bruyne and to a lesser extent Hulk(assuming he joins) ate not coincidence, it is a real effort by the club to change the philosophy of the club.

If that's what you think then fair enough but the fact that you are either unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the importance of Guardiola to Barcelona suggests you are hardly best placed to make an informed decision on it one way or another.

[Shane 2,275]

Maybe you should try doing some research on that. It's quite a drag.

Maybe you should back up your point?

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

You could, and others probably already have, write a book on how Guardiola has tweaked and built upon the Barcelona philosophy to turn it into the most dominating fom of football ever witnessed, a style that has led Barcelona and Soain to sweeping all before them. Before Guardiola how often did sides have 65-70% of possession in the majority of their games? While Rijkaard's Barcelina was more focused on the individual brilliance of Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco ect. Pep's Barcelona was built entirely around the team unit, from Messi to Busquets everybody works towards the greater good. Of course he also introduced the aggressive pressing game. He also even occasionally plays without a striker. There are so many things to mention and view in depth, practically each individuals role on the pitch was heavily influenced by Guardiola's philosophy. If you still have t recognised that Guardiola did a single thing then there is nothing Incan do for you because that is simply ignorance.

I don't know if you noticed by Roman is moving away from the physical side Mourinho built to a more technically complete side, the signings of Hazard, Mata, Marin, Torres, De Bruyne and to a lesser extent Hulk(assuming he joins) ate not coincidence, it is a real effort by the club to change the philosophy of the club.

If that's what you think then fair enough but the fact that you are either unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the importance of Guardiola to Barcelona suggests you are hardly best placed to make an informed decision on it one way or another.

It's far from being ignorant and I think I'm intelligent enough to make a decison for myself without having someone making patronising remarks to feed their ego.

If you're a Guardiola fanboy then good for you. Dominating a football match isn't the answer to everything. It may be nice on the eye, but when the going gets tough you need to adapt your game. He failed to do that and stuck with his "philosophy". You can praise him for that or criticise him. I'll stick with criticising him for now thanks.

If you cast your mind back several months, that's exactly what AVB done. Stuck to his philosophy, when things weren't going our way and he got the boot. Wether you can accept it or not, you can almost write the script before it happens. IF Guardiola arrives at Chelsea with the greatest intentions of changing how we play, he will not get the time to see it through. That's not me being ignorant nor am I illi-nformed on how wonderful he is, this is me making a decision based on how Romans mind works.

[captainjt26 106]

Does anyone know the exact date in June of when RDM's contract expires ? , I really would of liked to of seen RDM been offered a new deal .

[xPetrCechx 13,573]

Does anyone know the exact date in June of when RDM's contract expires ? , I really would of liked to of seen RDM been offered a new deal .

30.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Why is there even a thread for this, everyone knows we ain't getting Guardiola.... hes not the sort of guy who can be tempted by cash. The relationship he had with Barcelona is unreal, he was born near there and then brought up through their youth academy, then into their first team under Cryuff and became a key player for them, then became the B team manager and then first team coach a few years later.

Everyone has their price apparently but I don't think hes going to come here to manage especially with the recent history for managers. AVB was installed to change the team was sacked, what if the same was to happen to Guardiola... and its not like it wont because they have very similar philosophies. Also the proposed talk of our academy developing better players if he arrives is crazy, we don't have a set up like Barcelona, nobody can replicate their success through youth.

[Jase 43,479]

Maybe you should back up your point?

Apologies. Got flustered last night because over something at the time of post.

On the subject, there were plenty of boardroom battles in Barcelona back then, Rijkaard weren't exactly getting the results on the pitch either and if you look through his Barcelona reign and their results, you will see how inconsistent they are compared to Guardiola's Barcelona. As a result of that, players became delusional & weren't performing due to the state of the club and there were some players that just generally weren't performing anymore.

[Thor 2,728]

It's far from being ignorant and I think I'm intelligent enough to make a decison for myself without having someone making patronising remarks to feed their ego.

If you're a Guardiola fanboy then good for you. Dominating a football match isn't the answer to everything. It may be nice on the eye, but when the going gets tough you need to adapt your game. He failed to do that and stuck with his "philosophy". You can praise him for that or criticise him. I'll stick with criticising him for now thanks.

If you cast your mind back several months, that's exactly what AVB done. Stuck to his philosophy, when things weren't going our way and he got the boot. Wether you can accept it or not, you can almost write the script before it happens. IF Guardiola arrives at Chelsea with the greatest intentions of changing how we play, he will not get the time to see it through. That's not me being ignorant nor am I illi-nformed on how wonderful he is, this is me making a decision based on how Romans mind works.

Why exactly did he need to change his gameplan against us? He was getting quality looks in the first game, and completely outplayed us. I don't think you understand just how historic our run was getting passed them. Since the possession stat had started to be counted, we were the first team to win with such a low percentage of the ball. What was it? 27%? We had 1 shot on target in the first game, and we scored. They hit the post 2 times, missed 2 easy tap ins, Messi missed a one on one. Same thing with the second game. You had Messi missing a penalty, etc, etc.

Why did he need to change his gameplan? Like I said, he was getting great looks, and with the quality he had on his team, he figured they'd eventually put away one of those plum chances they had.

Some of you are blinded for your love of Robbie and hate for Pep, that it decreases some of your ability to think rationally. It's like people saying that Bertrand was a great tactical choice when it came to the Bayern game... Well I watched it, and no it wasn't. Just because we won the game, all was forgotten, and people pointed to it as brilliance, and a sign of trust between player and manager. Fact was, it was Bertrand's first stinker in the senior team.

[Iced 34]

I don't want that tiki-tacky bullshit football at Chelsea.. if he tries to come here and force it upon us it will be another waste of time and money (avb anyone??). If he can come here and figure out what style works for us then maybe he's the next best thing assuming rdm doesn't get the job. Losing beautifully is still losing.