A Pep up GUARD OF HONOUR FOR XAVI
Richard Buxton
XAVI owes his inspiration for Barcelona’s new golden generation to Pep Guardiola.
The Manchester City manager remains one of Catalonia’s favourite sons after his exploits with Johan Cruyff’s iconic ‘Dream Team’ and later as a successful manager in his own right.
But as coach Xavi prepares to lead Barca into today’s 250th El Clasico with Real Madrid, Luis Garcia says his old team-mate was always destined for the dugout after seeing him bring a training match to a halt.
The former Liverpool ace (below) said: “I remember chatting with Pep when we were playing the first team against the second team – and he stopped the game and started talking to us directly.
“These kinds of players that can see everything from inside the field, you know that if they decide to go through that path, they’re going to do well.
“They’ve got that knowledge, have worked with the best managers and because they’ve got that experience, have every single thing that a good manager needs to become successful.” Xavi’s return to Barcelona last year continued a tradition of esteemed former players returning to take charge and preserve the tactical principles first set down by Cruyff.
And Garcia believes he had the perfect ingredients to make it in management by learning the Dutch legend’s ideology in the club’s ranks and latterly under Guardiola.
He added: “The way Barcelona play, is a very specific way and if you’ve been through La Masia, like Xavi and Pep Guardiola did, I think for them it’s easier to put that on paper.
“For Xavi, doing all that and working with Pep is like the perfect combination. They understand better how Barcelona has to play.”
Barca return to the Bernabeu after trouncing Real in last season’s meeting – but Garcia said: “The thing about El Clasico is you never know what’s going to happen. Barca look very strong but Real Madrid is fantastic.”