As Real Madrid have a slim lead over Barça, which was 10 points at an earlier stage in the season, many pundits and journalists said Guardiola had ‘burnt out’, after his speedy accumulation of 13 trophies. His reluctance to sign a contract longer than a year could certainly suggest that he sees this as a possible outcome too. Critics have also voiced their opinion that Guardiola is not the coach he is made out to be; that the team he has led to glory simply fell ‘into his lap’.
However, if you are to look in detail at Guardiola’s reign, you will see various twists and turns: the team that the graduate of La Masia is coaching this season is well constructed with strong foundations. In fact, the Catalan stated how he wished to field a starting 11 made up completely of graduates of the youth system. There have been several high profile ins and outs since he took over-most notably (and to his credit) his confidence in off-loading Ronaldinho, who Frank Rijkaard’s team revolved around in an attacking sense. Deco was another major player shown the door, as was the Cameroonian captain Samuel Eto’o eventually. Zlatan Ibrahimovic came in-and left virtually a year later after Barça’s play did not suit his, and has since been rather critical of his former club. Guardiola has also brought in Sanchez from Udinese, Fàbregas from Arsenal, David Villa from Valencia and introduced key, developing players like Thiago Alcantara into the first team from the youth system.
The tactics used by the Spaniard are also varying from what would be his own, stereotypical style. When watching Barça, they have a very distinctive shape and game plan. The flexible, familiar 4-3-3 formation that is an effective favourite of the current team and of Guardiola sees the wing-backs, especially Dani Alves (who we see racing up and down the right touchline), acting as a forward for the majority of attacks. Fàbregas leisurely dips in and out of midfield, alternating as a centre forward, to support the attacks whilst Xavi and Iniesta’s sublime, dictating passing added to the runs of Messi and his attacking compatriots often results in opposing defences left exhausted, shell-shocked and in need of drastic repair. At times this season, down to choice and the lack of defensive options, Guardiola has set Barça up to play 3-4-3, with Sergio Busquets acting as a deep playmaker whilst aiding the centre back, proving that he is open to adaptations or experimental twists, and there may be more on the horizon if he wants to keep Barça from being repeatedly worked out and frustrated by other coaches and teams.
The Catalan club have far from stagnated, despite any suggestions: their tiki-taka football is always refreshing to watch, and their can be no doubt that more trophies will come their way; a Copa Del Rey final, Champions League Semi-Final and contention in the league means a possible treble (or furthermore, the other 2012 trophies on offer at latter stages in the year) cannot yet be written off.
Guardiola, obviously, is a pivotal part of Barça’s success, masterminding numerous victories, being positively modern in his coaching methods and doing well-researched plans for individual matches. He most certainly has the support of his players: Messi recently stated how Guardiola is more important to the club “than me”. Simply down to instilling incredible winning belief and motives in his squad, the secretive yet seemingly friendly Catalan would be sorely missed by everyone connected with Barcelona if he were to leave. On the other hand, any club would welcome the genius with open arms to revolutionise their identity and style. Nevertheless, rumours will always circulate and it is difficult to see Guardiola parting with the mighty Barça in the near future; and yet the footballing world will predictably wait, anxiously or perhaps nervously, and see what happens.
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