Pep Guardiola: The Barcelona years

 

Pa
Friday 27 April 2012 13:24 BST
Comments
Pep Guardiola saw Barcelona relinquish the La Liga title and the Champions League in a matter of days
Pep Guardiola saw Barcelona relinquish the La Liga title and the Champions League in a matter of days (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Pep Guardiola today announced he would not be renewing his contract at Barcelona after four trophy-laden years at the Nou Camp.

Here, we chart his time in charge of his boyhood club.

2008/09

Barcelona's new head coach, appointed as Frank Rijkaard's replacement, decided he needed a fresh squad and sold Ronaldinho, Deco and Gianluca Zambrotta amongst many others.

He then guided Barca to a domestic and continental treble, the first Spanish side to achieve the feat.

The Copa del Rey was secured with a 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao and the title followed after a league campaign that involved a 20-match unbeaten streak and a 6-2 win over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

The treble was completed when they beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League final in Rome with Lionel Messi taking centre-stage.

TROPHIES WON: Copa del Rey, La Liga, Champions League.

2009/10

The Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and World Club Cup were added to Barcelona's trophy cabinet before the turn of the year, making Guardiola the first manager in history to win six honours in one calendar year.

They failed to defend their Champions League crown after being eliminated by Inter Milan at the semi-final stage but retained their La Liga title with a record points total of 99.

During the season Guardiola also became the first ever Barcelona manager to orchestrate four successive El Clasico victories over Real Madrid.

TROPHIES WON: Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, World Club Cup, La Liga.

2010/11

Another Super Cup success and La Liga title followed for Guardiola although he did taste his first ever defeat in a final as his side lost 1-0 to Real in the Copa del Ray.

Another Champions League success was secured, again beating Manchester United, this time 3-1 at Wembley after overcoming Real in the semi-finals.

TROPHIES WON: Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, Champions League.

2011/12

Victories in the Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup meant Guardiola now had won more trophies than any previous Barcelona manager.

More silverware was to come as Barcelona beat Santos to defend the World Club Cup and they have also advanced to the final of the Copa del Rey where they will face Athletic Bilbao.

But they have been overhauled in the league by Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid who, following a 2-1 victory in the Nou Camp, went seven points clear with only four league games remaining.

Barcelona also missed out on defending the Champions League after falling 3-2 on aggregate at the semi-final stage to a spirited Chelsea side who played with 10-men for 53 minutes in the second leg following John Terry's red card.

TROPHIES WON: Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, World Club Cup.

TOTAL TROPHIES: La Liga (three), Spanish Super Cup (three), Champions League (two), World Club Cup (two), European Super Cup (two), Copa del Rey (one). TOTAL: 13.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in