Pep the player

By David Lee Wheatley

Pep Guardiola built his reputation in the coaching arena as ‘B’ team coach at Barcelona, before taking the reins to the senior side in 2008. Four glorious years later, the captain-turned-coach walked away due to the constant pressure he felt in charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Guardiola jetted off with his family on a year-long sabbatical residing in Manhattan, New York City, while agreeing a return to the game around the turn of the year as Bayern Munich trainer; the contract between the parties began in June.

I take a look back at a playing career that laid the foundations for the success that was to follow for Guardiola the coach.

Replicating the path worn in facilitating his switch into team leadership, Josep Guardiola started out in the ‘B’ side of the Barcelona set-up as a first step into professional football after developing his skills throughout a youth career at the club’s famous La Masia academy from the age of 13. Following a year of mainly appearing for the ‘B’ team, he was elevated permanently to the first-team squad on the back of several impressive performances.

The defensive midfielder made a starting spot his own during the 1991-92 campaign when driving Barça on to the La Liga and European Cup double. Replacing experienced international Guillermo Amor in the centre of the park, the 20-year-old displayed style and poise way beyond his years and he was quickly recognised as a rising star.

Making an international debut in October 1992, Guardiola went on to appear 47 times for the Spanish national side. But for injuries, the elegant ball-playing midfield man would surely have achieved more caps for his country.

Meanwhile, back at club level, the starlet formed part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ that retained the league championship in 1993 and 1994, but got smashed 4-0 in the Champions League final that year by a force of nature in the shape of a resurgent Milan.

The situation went sour under the Dutch legend, with fourth and third place finishes in 1995 and 1996 pushing Cruyff towards the exit door. Revered English manager Bobby Robson took over the role and led a Guardiola-inspired Barça to trophy wins in the Copa Del Rey and European Cup Winners’ Cup in their only season together.

Foreign interest in the services of club captain Guardiola began, with Serie A giants Roma aggressively pursuing the player. Barcelona were reluctant to let their ‘son’ leave and negotiated a new contract with the technically-gifted midfielder until 2001.

Unfortunately, a calf injury ruined the 1997-98 campaign, as Guardiola missed out on the opportunity to impress new boss Louis Van Gaal. He made just six La Liga appearances, as his team-mates cemented the domestic league and cup double without their captain in tow. An operation meant he was forced to miss the World Cup of 1998, which was a huge blow to a player that achieved everything for his club and desperately wanted the top international football prize to add to the collection.

Despite returning to action the following season, Pep developed a problem with his ankle leading to further surgery in an effort to correct the issue. It was a crying shame that his body was failing him at an age when he should have been enjoying the prime of his footballing career.

Nearing the end of his contract, it was announced that Guardiola would be leaving for pastures new. Surprisingly, he chose much smaller club Brescia with which to experience his first taste of club football outside of Spain. Evens so, the prospect of teaming up with Italian legend Roberto Baggio seemed a mouth-watering prospect.

A remarkable turn of events were set off by a positive drug test for the banned substance Nandrolone after a league game against Piacenza in October 2001. Guardiola pleaded his innocence; those that knew him attested to it. However, the much-loved Catalan hero got slapped with a four-month ban from the game; six years later he was cleared of any wrongdoing, but to further extend the agony the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) re-opened the case in 2009 before they found him not guilty once again.

Following such a damaging career downturn, he elected to continue his Italian adventure by joining long-time suitors Roma in the Italian capital. He played only four times before resuming his Brescia career with another thirteen games in the blue-and-white colours of the northern Italian team.

Lucrative spells followed in Qatar with Al-Ahli and Mexican Primera Division side Sinaloa, fuelling Pep’s passion for travel and new challenges abroad, before he called time on his career in 2006.

The rapid movement between three different countries at the tail-end of his playing career goes a long way towards explaining his decision to accept the head coach position at German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich; another culture, language and lifestyle for a man that actively seeks out such challenges.

Treble-winning Godfather of Bayern Jupp Heynckes will be a tough act to follow, but if there’s a man that can succeed in such circumstances it is Guardiola, the King of Catalonia.

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