Reports have been confirmed: Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola will be leaving Barcelona at seasons end. It comes to me a bit of a shock that a competitior of his likeness – and that he was, if you ever saw him play – would allow himself or his beloved Barça to go out with Real Madrid at the top. Granted that these past two or three weeks have been the toughest of his managerial career; losing to rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico and being bounced from the Champions League – a tournament the Blaugrana have essentially owned for the past few years – in the semi-finals to London’s Chelsea FC (playing under an interim coach, mind you); but I didn’t see him stepping down just yet.
Who will replace him? Does this end the Barça best-ever debates? Is it true that Pep will take over at Chelsea, for the very club who played such a large role in confirming his exit? A billion questions and just one very managerial answer from every manager involved: “there are still games to be played and until then I will only focus on (enter team here).”
Still, they say that with every door that closes, one more opens. I hope Pep walks through one being held open by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Shocked? Don’t be. Blasphemous? I don’t think so. It’s all for the best.
Sir Alex is the longest serving manager in the English Premier League and in the history of my beloved Manchester United. His tenure extends some 25 years for United, 10 years longer than Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, the second longest serving in English top-flight.
In a league that would just about sack a manager for bad penmanship nowadays, it is amazing to consider that he has managed to stay both relevant and healthy in such a highly intense, demanding, dramatic environment; and United plays host to the lot. If Old Trafford isn’t the house that Fergie built, he sure as hell did the decorating.
When he joined the club in November 1986, United weren’t even in the proverbial conversation. To make matters worse, the club that dominated it was Liverpool. They had just won their 16th league title in the year before he joined. They added a 17th in the season following and kicked off their 18th league title campaign right around the time I was born, in August 1989. My deepest apologies; if there was anything I could’ve done to put them off I would have. To be fair, though, they were good. As for United, they hadn’t won any league titles since 1966-67 when they clinched their 7th overall.
Looking back, it is truly unfathomable to think we – United – are just a weekend away from knowing that we’ve snagged our 20th. But credit to Ferguson, an ever-believing attitude, and one talented, well-balanced squad after another. Here is how we got there:
United were fastest out of the traps in the Premier League era. We won our 8th league title in 1992-93, the year of its inception, and only three other clubs have tasted success since: Chelsea, Arsenal, and even Blackburn in the early years. Consider that they, combined, have won seven titles between them. That means United have won a remarkable, incomprehensible twelve since its formation until now.
A few comments, some made by Sir Alex and some directed to him, paint a picture better than I could ever honestly describe in my own words. But apart from “you’ll never win anything with kids” – a presumably regrettable comment made by Alan Hansen to Ferguson – it was one particular comment in a September 2002 interview for which he is best remember and best personified. “My greatest accomplishment,” he said, “was knocking Liverpool off their f-cking perch. And you can print that.” He made quite clear of what his intentions had always been for United. His words were striking, ruthless, and more that of an avid supporter than a manager, in truth. The passion set him apart from all of the other managers in that statement alone, such was his and United’s hatred for Liverpool.
Now, as Manchester United gear up to face those noisy neighbors Manchester City on Monday for the league title, I look around and can’t help but notice Liverpool’s absence: mission accomplished, Fergie. Still, even the most disillusioned United fan will admit that, apart from a few scintillating moments this season (i.e. thumping Arsenal 8-1), it has been a pretty mundane, average squad and overall campaign.
So, here is my stance: should Ferguson lead United to our 20th league title – and 13th in 20 seasons – he will enjoy one of his finest hours as manager; he will have won his war with Liverpool if he hasn’t already; he will officially have ignited a title-war with City that looks to be a long one; and then, he should make way. He should take a Club Director or higher executive and/or ownership role in the club, considering the long-term future for his beloved Reds.
Then, as eluded to above, Pep should take the helm. It will signify a new era, a new general leading United into a new war to keep City off of our f-cking perch. Ferguson doesn’t have that much left in him anyways, maybe a handful of seasons at most. And, as young and obviously talented as he is, Guardiola has already experienced more success with Barcelona than most coaches do with a list of teams throughout an entire lifetime. If he can take what United has established – an entertaining style of play, always dependable for late drama – and throw in a little bit of Barças ‘tiqui-taca’ style of passing play, the future could be as bright as the past.
I have long-assumed that Jose Mourinho would be the [chosen] one to take the spot if only for his sheer ability to handle a team of this magnitude. But, as irresistible as Barcelona have been and with the promise Pep brings – just for the record, that promise is exactly three consecutive La Liga titles, three consecutive Supercopa titles, a Copa del Rey, two Champions League titles in three seasons, two UEFA Supercup titles, and two FIFA Club World Cup titles – this is the time for Manchester United, for Ferguson, and for Pep.
Fergie, I love you. And I thank you with my whole heart, which is proudly and entirely devoted to your Red Devils. But this is what is best for the club, a club that, no matter how difficult for us United supporters to comprehend, will live on long after you do. You are the greatest of all time.
By Matthew Guinto; Red Devil, Red Bull, Ready... follow him on twitter @mattguintofooty
World Football Daily
