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Barcelona and the Pep Guardiola romance: Why the coach must renew his contract

Angela Asante, February 23 2012,
Everyone at Barcelona is reacting as if guaranteeing Pep Guardiola’s signature for the future means guaranteeing long-term success at the club. How true could that be?

Pep Guardiola is idolized by his own players at Barcelona.

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The extension of a contract for successful professionals often comes with the fear of climbing too high only to fail or of driving for too long only for the engine to burn into flames. Pep Guardiola’s record at the Camp Nou is so fantastic that one would advise him to quickly put an end to it on a magnificent note.

However, there’s a romantic bond between Barcelona and Pep Guardiola. Let’s just say that the relationship between both sides is meant to be an issue of “for better, for worse”. In this case, why should the manager even think twice before accepting or refusing the club’s contract extension offer?

 

Pep Guardiola is adored at Barcelona. The totality of the squad, since Ibrahimovic’s departure, favours the former Blaugrana captain. Harmony reigns at the Camp Nou at the envy of other clubs struggling to find a balance between unity and competition among players.

“He must continue at Barca for all he has experienced and for all there is still to experience. Guardiola is key in the dressing room,” Pique explained to reporters.

“He gave me the opportunity to experience this and I will always be grateful to him.”

And very unlike what Ibrahimovic stated in his book, Pique concluded: “I will never argue any decision he makes.”

Adding his voice to the call, midfielder Andres Iniesta told Barcelona’s official website recently:

“I hope that he renews and that he stays with us for a long time. He has to decide and he knows that the team wants him to stay. That’s everyone’s wish. Guardiola is eager. We have a lot of beautiful things still yet to see.”

“Personally, I think that Guardiola's story with Barca is not yet over,” Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Sport. The chief, like Blaugrana supporters around the globe, refuses to think about life without Guardiola. If unity is strong among the Catalans and if everyone is so supportive, why is Guardiola still undecided about his future?

Former FIFA agent Josep Maria Minguella has blamed this uncertainty on current club president Sandro Rosell. According to 8TV, Minguella believes that “the club's fans do not deserve this situation.” He added:

“I feel sorry for all of Guardiola's fans, I am one of them. I would like to urge the president [Sandro Rosell] to act as such and say that Guardiola is the coach, that he is happy and that he expects him to renew quickly.”

Does Pep Guardiola need a new challenge after winning a record 13 titles with Barcelona’s current team? Some people, who seem to overlook Pep’s skills, insist that the 41-year-old benefits hugely from possessing what is arguably world football’s best generation of players.

Now without superstars like Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol, would Guardiola still be a manager to fear? In the same way, without a Catalonian like Pep, would Barcelona’s current set of players be united and victorious as it’s the case now?

The answer to all these questions is simple and there’s absolutely no need to beat around the bush. Barcelona need Guardiola and Guardiola needs Barcelona.

Hence, the issue shouldn’t be about wishing for new challenges for either the team or the coach. Just like Fergie’s seat is undisputed at Manchester United, let Pep and Barca remain together as long as possible, whether it rains or shine at the Camp Nou.

The Barcelona and Pep Guardiola romance in quick statistics

• 2008/09: 62 games played in all competitions; 42 wins; 13 draws; 7 losses; 158 goals scored; 55 goals allowed
• 2009/10: 59 games played in all competitions; 45 wins; 10 draws; 4 losses; 138 goals scored; 39 goals allowed
• 2010/11: 62 games played in all competitions; 45 wins; 11 draws; 6 losses; 152 goals scored; 39 goals allowed
• 2011/12: In progress

3 La Liga titles; 3 Supercopa de Espana titles; 2 UEFA Champions League titles; 2 UEFA Super Cup titles; 2 FIFA Club World Cup titles; 1 Copa del Rey title

 

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