If not Pep, then Who ??

In the year 2008 when Joan Laporta first introduced Pep Guardiola as the new manager of Barcelona, football pundits mocked the decision of bringing in an unexperienced person for such a high profile job. But, it didn’t take much time for those pundits to realize that he is the right man for this job.

Almost four years from then Josep Guardiola have made a special place in footballing hearts. A manager who is not afraid, who has the mentality of playing attacking football and sticking with the club ethics even in bad times. He gave the world a team which will be admired by everyone for decades to come.

Every year fans would await for his contract extension, with the Catalans asking for a lifetime extension but Pep would prefer a year extension only. He always said,

Anytime I think I can’t give this club anymore I will leave the club. I cannot work at such a demanding club if I don’t have strength. I don’t have it clear in my mind, that’s why I am not saying whether the cycle has ended or whether I will extend.

But it is different this year. Even after several meetings with the club president Pep haven’t taken any decision about his future with the Spanish giants yet. After a heartbreaking week for Barcelona which saw Barça losing their hold on La liga leaders Real Madrid and later missing out a champions league final berth at Munich after a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Camp Nou, speculations are high that Pep Guardiola might not continue as the manager of FC Barcelona.

Even after not making it to the finals of Champions League, FC Barcelona are still regarded as the best club in Europe and specially after what Pep Guardiola has brought to the club it will be very difficult to find a replacement for him. Let us see some of the names who can succeed the 41 year old Spaniard.

MARCELO BIELSA :- The Athletic Bilbao manager has been regarded as one of the best managers in the world since a long time. Even Pep admires the coaching style of Bielsa, which is very much similar to that of Barcelona. Bielsa who took over as Bilbao manager in 2011, have been able to take the team to Europa League finals and Kings Cup finals, although their form away from home in La Liga have not been consistent.

His attacking mentality is evident in the way Bilbao has evolved, using the strengths of the players, he has made a team so physically strong, which can challenge the top teams in Europe easily.

LAURENT BLANC:- The 46 year old, former France mid fielder, has also been rumoured as a possible replacement for Pep. Laurent who played with Barcelona for a season in 1996-97, has been managing the France national team since 2010. He is known for his tough decisions such as suspending all 23 players who went to the world cup in 2010 at in his first game incharge.

But since his arrival he has been able to revive the France football team which is quite evident from the Euro 2012 qualifiers in which France topped their group.

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS:- The Portuguese manager, who took Porto to Europa league glory but was recently sacked as the manager of Chelsea after a disaster outing in Premiere league this season can be the outside choice for the Barca job. During his stay at Chelsea he was known more for his tactically wrong decisions and controversies involving the senior players of the squad. Currently he is on a break from football but his agent said he will be looking to make a comeback this summer.

At a very young age he started his managerial career without any experience as a professional footballer, he did a great job with FC Porto after winning a treble in one season and becoming the youngest manager to win a European Club title. He has been a good innovator though he couldn’t last long at Chelsea, but he can still be a serious option as a Barça manager. The question is can he handle the pressure this time?

LUIS ENRIQUE :- The former Barcelona player, can also be considered as one of the top options to take over the manager post at Barça. His experience of playing with Barça will surely give him an advantage over others, as Barcelona management will be looking for someone who knows the club playing style and ethics very well. He has also been with Barcelona B as their manager for three years, so he has a sound knowledge about the young players who can be a part of the team in the future.

Currently the manager of AS Roma, he has not enjoyed lot of success as a manager in Italy and have been questioned at times for his tactics and substitutions he made in crucial games.

There can be many more names but replacing a manager who took FC Barcelona to touch the sky looks very tough job for any of the them.