Pep Guardiola reveals the reason behind his departure from Barcelona | OneFootball

FC Barcelona has had the privilege of being able to count on several extraordinary managers throughout the club’s history. This included the likes of Johan Cruyff and now includes German head coach Hansi Flick as well. However, for almost every Barcelona fan and even for neutrals, the most successful coach at the club is a rather obvious name.

Pep Guardiola, the current head coach of a dominant Manchester City side over in the Premier League, was formerly the head coach of FC Barcelona. However, while that may have been a long time ago, he managed to bring an unprecedented level of success and quality to the Barcelona first team between 2008 and 2012.

Now, as he continues his managerial career over in England, Barça still remains close to his heart. As for the reason for his departure back in 2012, one that came despite the fact that his Barcelona team was considered to be one of the sport’s greatest ever sides, is a thought that many people have had.

Recently, however, he decided to delve deeper into and explain his own reasonings. As highlighted by SPORT, the Spanish manager explained that the demanding and self-destructive nature of the club is always taxing for any coach who manages it:

“It’s always been that way, and it always will be. We’ve all experienced it. Here, the shots come from all sides, every day. But the ones that hurt most come from within. Every day there are small battles within Barça. In the end, you realize the only thing that matters is convincing your players of your ideas and what you believe should be done. As for the rest, it’s best not to get involved for the sake of your own health.”

He further hinted that voices within the club also begin to undermine the manager’s work and ideas, highlighting that it is something that eventually takes its toll as well:

“The danger of daily fatigue that comes from trying to manage Barça’s environment. The constant undermining of what you do eventually takes its toll.”

However, he did also speak about the future of Barcelona and what the club should stay true to. For Guardiola, the ideal model for the Catalan club is exactly the one that it currently has, and he believes that it is something that should not be changed:

“From my perspective, Barça should not change its model. From the outside, everyone sees Barça as something different. This club exudes charisma, a unique essence. What greater compliment could you receive?”

Born and bred in Catalonia himself, Guardiola has a special connection to both Barcelona and the surrounding region. While he continues to work over in the Premier League, something that he took up after managing Bayern Munich over in Germany, there remains a special place in the heart of Guardiola for Barcelona, and it clearly shows from time to time.