Guardiola To Be Named New Barcelona Coach
Reports in Spain are claiming that former Barcelona captain Josep Guardiola is ready to take the reigns at Camp Nou.
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galleria zoom The Barcelona board of directors, including Joan Laporta and Txiki Begiristain, held a meeting on Monday to decide on a replacement for Frank Rijkaard, who is likely to depart at the end of the season.
According to Marca, the directors have decided to appoint former midfielder Josep Guardiola. Barcelona will announce the move on May 19th, following the final Liga game, when Rijkaard is also expected to bid farewell.
Barca have once again ended the season with no silverware, and Guardiola's rather progessive plans - presented to the board last month - have met with great approval. There have been suggestions that he was being lined up as a number two, but it now appears that the Catalans are ready to hand him full control.
Guardiola has had an excellent relationship with the club since 1984 when he joined as a youth team player. He went on to win major honours both domestically and in Europe including the 1992 European Cup, and a massive six La Liga titles in the 90's.
At the moment, he is in charge of the Blaugrana’s B team, and has impressed with his fresh approach.
Many feel that 'Pep', as he was known, will not have the adequate experience to guide the Blaugrana to the dizzying heights they have become accustomed to, and are keen to see Jose Mourinho succeed Rijkaard despite an intense rivalry with him while he managed Chelsea.
However, Laporta has already ruled that out when insisting that any new coach will have to play the 'Barcelona way', and is now ready to throw his weight behind the legendary midfielder.
Michael Laudrup has also been linked with the post. Another ex-Barça player, the Danish legend has done an impressive job in his first season in charge of Getafe. Laurent Blanc is another name reportedly on the Blaugrana's list, but is believed to be somewhat further down the pecking order.
World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi - unemployed since his 2006 triumph with Italy - has expressed a degree of interest in managing in La Liga, though many believe he would prefer to stay in his native Italy if possible.
If the latest reports are to be believed, Pep looks to be leading the way, and could well be formally appointed as soon as the 19th of May.
Salvatore Landolina
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