What I imagine Pep with RDM as assistant would be like.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

I'm a big believer in the way they play, the type if players they produce, the cutting edge tactics. The more I've seen them play, the more I've read about them (in particular the book by Graham Hunter is terrific) the more I admire them. So comments like those above saying that anyone could have done what Guardiola did annoy me because it is downright wrong.

The only thing I'm impressed with by Barca is their youth system. I hate them apart from the fact they are incredible at blooding good youth players in to their team.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

The only thing I'm impressed with by Barca is their youth system. I hate them apart from the fact they are incredible at blooding good youth players in to their team.

All the same, like them or hate them, the comment about Guardiola is ridiculous. It isn't a million miles from someone saying "anyone could have won what Di Matteo did with the group of players he inherited when he took over." Obviously that's an exaggeration but anyone who knows Barcelona knows that the situation at the club at the end of Rijkaard's reign was bad, for Guardiola to pick up that group and do what he did the following seasons and for the next few years was nothing short if remarkable.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

All the same, like them or hate them, the comment about Guardiola is ridiculous. It isn't a million miles from someone saying "anyone could have won what Di Matteo did with the group of players he inherited when he took over." Obviously that's an exaggeration but anyone who knows Barcelona knows that the situation at the club at the end of Rijkaard's reign was bad, for Guardiola to pick up that group and do what he did the following seasons and for the next few years was nothing short if remarkable.

Yeah but with a squad of that ability and talent I wasn't surprised. That is why if you put him in charge of good another team he won't replicate anything close to the amount of success he had(nearly 20 trophies in 4 years). Watch and see Tito Vilonova will have a success season largely due to the squad and tactics similar to Guardiola's. Similar to Pereria at Porto using Villas-Boas' tactics from the previous season.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Yeah but with a squad of that ability and talent I wasn't surprised. That is why if you put him in charge of good another team he won't replicate anything close to the amount of success he had(nearly 20 trophies in 4 years). Watch and see Tito Vilonova will have a success season largely due to the squad and tactics similar to Guardiola's. Similar to Pereria at Porto using Villas-Boas' tactics from the previous season.

It's easy to say now "ye well he had Xavi, Iniesta and Messi" but you have to put it into context. Xavi, Iniesta and Messi were not the names that they are today, ask any of those players how important Guardiola was to their careers and you will get an illustration of why Pep is so good. Of course Pep will always be best at Barcelona, the club's philosophy is ingrained in Guardiola, Pep knows how the club works inside out and he is utterly dedicated to the club's philosophy and he is a hugely popular figure at the club from his playing days and now his time as coach of Barcelona. I think he would be successful anywhere he goes, cream always rises to the top, but Guardiola and Barcelona are a perfect fit. Im sure Vilanova will also stick to the principles of the club, to the philosophy but dont be surprised if he puts his own tweaks and ideas on the system.

[Heisenberg 1,824]

Di Matteo is our Guardiola.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

It's easy to say now "ye well he had Xavi, Iniesta and Messi" but you have to put it into context. Xavi, Iniesta and Messi were not the names that they are today, ask any of those players how important Guardiola was to their careers and you will get an illustration of why Pep is so good. Of course Pep will always be best at Barcelona, the club's philosophy is ingrained in Guardiola, Pep knows how the club works inside out and he is utterly dedicated to the club's philosophy and he is a hugely popular figure at the club from his playing days and now his time as coach of Barcelona. I think he would be successful anywhere he goes, cream always rises to the top, but Guardiola and Barcelona are a perfect fit. Im sure Vilanova will also stick to the principles of the club, to the philosophy but dont be surprised if he puts his own tweaks and ideas on the system.

The principles of the current Barcelona team originated from Johan Cryuff when he was coach years ago. People tend to forget that. Without Cryuff you don't have the "tiki taka" or "total football" idea instilled into the team in the first place and you don't have the youth set up that was copied from the Dutch which ultimately has been reaping the rewards for the last 10 years producing fine players who can all fit into a similar model of football. Guardiola wouldn't have been a holding midfielder had it not been for Johan Cryuff switching him to that position in the first place so Cesc, Busquets or Xavi wouldn't have idolized him, trying to be a similar player to him... Cryuff was the best match for Barcelona. You might not think that but basically he was.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

The principles of the current Barcelona team originated from Johan Cryuff when he was coach years ago. People tend to forget that. Without Cryuff you don't have the "tiki taka" or "total football" idea instilled into the team in the first place and you don't have the youth set up that was copied from the Dutch which ultimately has been reaping the rewards for the last 10 years producing fine players who can all fit into a similar model of football. Guardiola wouldn't have been a holding midfielder had it not been for Johan Cryuff switching him to that position in the first place so Cesc, Busquets or Xavi wouldn't have idolized him, trying to be a similar player to him... Cryuff was the best match for Barcelona. You might not think that but basically he was.

Obviously the Dutch influence at Barcelona cant be denied with Cruyff, Rinus Michels, Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard having all coached at the club, though its Cruyff and Michels who made the truly lasting impression. However lets not forget that for quite some time Barcelona were struggling and had almost lost their way. Rijkaard did well to restore the club's image and bring some success but in the dying days of his reign the club was a mess. Guardiola came in, cleaned the mess and created a dynasty. He is the most successful coach in the history of Barcelona. He helped to develop a style of play that has changed football forever. He's changed our view and perception of football, you could argue that we are signing small, technically gifted players like Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Marin ect. is down to the impact Guardiola's Barcelona and Spain have had on world football. For me there's no doubt he will be remembered as Barcelona's greatest ever manager.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Obviously the Dutch influence at Barcelona cant be denied with Cruyff, Rinus Michels, Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard having all coached at the club, though its Cruyff and Michels who made the truly lasting impression. However lets not forget that for quite some time Barcelona were struggling and had almost lost their way. Rijkaard did well to restore the club's image and bring some success but in the dying days of his reign the club was a mess. Guardiola came in, cleaned the mess and created a dynasty. He is the most successful coach in the history of Barcelona. He helped to develop a style of play that has changed football forever. He's changed our view and perception of football, you could argue that we are signing small, technically gifted players like Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Marin ect. is down to the impact Guardiola's Barcelona and Spain have had on world football. For me there's no doubt he will be remembered as Barcelona's greatest ever manager.

Meh, still dislike Pep and reckon he won't be anywhere near as successful at any other club. If he proves me wrong I will cut off my left bollock.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Meh, still dislike Pep and reckon he won't be anywhere near as successful at any other club. If he proves me wrong I will cut off my left bollock.

I dont expect him to be as successful, afterall he created something at a club which suits his philosophy, at a club where the talent to play that way was available to him, with big resources and some of the most talented players the world has ever seen (talent which he helped to shine).

But I do think he could take over any big club in Europe and be a success, whatever that club would define as being successful.

[Shane 2,275]

Obviously the Dutch influence at Barcelona cant be denied with Cruyff, Rinus Michels, Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard having all coached at the club, though its Cruyff and Michels who made the truly lasting impression. However lets not forget that for quite some time Barcelona were struggling and had almost lost their way. Rijkaard did well to restore the club's image and bring some success but in the dying days of his reign the club was a mess. Guardiola came in, cleaned the mess and created a dynasty. He is the most successful coach in the history of Barcelona. He helped to develop a style of play that has changed football forever. He's changed our view and perception of football, you could argue that we are signing small, technically gifted players like Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Marin ect. is down to the impact Guardiola's Barcelona and Spain have had on world football. For me there's no doubt he will be remembered as Barcelona's greatest ever manager.

I have been over the Pep argument with you before, But there is no way you can say that us signig 'small' technically gifted players is down to Pep, that comment is ridicloius.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

I have been over the Pep argument with you before, But there is no way you can say that us signig 'small' technically gifted players is down to Pep, that comment is ridicloius.

You get tall technically gifted players too remember

[The Big Drog 1,110]

I have been over the Pep argument with you before, But there is no way you can say that us signig 'small' technically gifted players is down to Pep, that comment is ridicloius.

It isn't ridiculous at all. Before Guardiola arrived at Barcelona, Xavi is quoted as saying that players like him were almost extinct, that it was all about the big, physical players. Guardiola changed the perception everyone involved in football. Take Man City as an example. No I know they have a fairly tall backline and a double pivot of Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry. Go past that. Silva, Tevez, Aguero, Nasri, all small technically gifted players, can you name me an English side that won the league that had 4 regular attackers smaller than the average height of that quartet. Spain, Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva. These things dont just happen by accident, pre Guardiola, a player like Xavi felt he was no longer needed at Barcelona, today a player like Xavi is prized above all others. Im not saying Guardiola is directly responsible for us signing smaller, technically gifted players, but I would certainly say that the way Guardiola's side took the world by storm and changed our view point on the game has had a knock on effect throughout world football which includes Chelsea and Man City.