Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona era is one of the best teams with an abundant collection of trophies. Pep’s genius as a direct coach was evident in the first season he coached Barca’s senior team in the 2008/09 season. Pep did not have a coaching career at the time, except for the previous season’s Barca B team coach. The first season he coached the senior Barca team, Pep immediately won the treble winner. Not only reliable in terms of tactical, he is also good at motivating and releasing the best abilities of players, one example is in the Champions League final of the season.
Barca will face Manchester United under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson who was very scary at the time. Man United qualified for the finals in Rome with the status of the defending Champions League champion and had just won the Premier League that season. Pep’s debutant manager has to deal with Sir Alex, who has been in Man United for 23 years.
The composition of Man United’s players is also not arbitrary. They are strengthened by experienced senior players such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, world-class players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as a strong defensive wall in the duo of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Not to forget the legendary goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar under the crossbar.
Pep actually had to lose the main players namely Dani Alves and Eric Abidal because of a ban on playing. Rafa Marquez has an injury. He must shift Carles Puyol to his old position as right-back and withdraw Yaya Toure as a central defender. Reserve Sylvinho is finally projected to replace Abidal as a left back.
While at the hotel, Pep held a meeting with all the coaching staff to provide their photos. Plus writing ‘Thank you for everything. Pep ’ He really appreciated the hard work of the entire staff of the coach. Pep feels they are as important as players.
On a different occasion, this time at a meeting with the players, Pep explained the entire tactical plan he wanted to implement. Extra information about the composition of the opposing players, the condition of the grass, logistics, to personal matters he also did not escape.
The night before the finals, players may be accompanied by their partners at the hotel. Pep really understands that the Champions League final puts tremendous pressure on players. Unlike the conventional rules that forbid couples to come to the hotel, Pep felt the presence of the closest people could help reduce player pressure. An extraordinary form of empathy is shown by Pep which makes players comfortable and closer to Pep.
A bigger surprise occurs right before the match. Pep had planned the surprise two weeks before the final when he contacted Santi Padro, Catalan television producer for TV3 channel. He asked Santi to make a video.
The day of the match arrived. Pre-match routines like warm-up are done as usual. But the Barca physical coach called on players to return to the dressing room sooner than usual. Tension is inevitable when they walk towards the locker room.
This moment is a moment where the player does not want to be disturbed. They will get ready while doing private rituals. Victor Valdes is the first player to arrive at the dressing room. But a little different on that day.
One of Pep’s assistants asks Valdes to wait. Valdes finally waited for all players to arrive in front of the dressing room. All the players finally entered and without further ado Pep immediately shouted. “Everyone, I want you to watch this. It is our cooperation that brings us to Rome, “Pep said. The light is turned off then the video plays.
The simple video contains footage of Barca’s struggles that season, collaborated with several pieces of Gladiator film. The choice of film is very appropriate because they will fight like Gladiators in Rome. The seven-minute video certainly increases the soul of patriotism in the Barca players.
The most special thing about the video is that all the players really perform. Including two reserve goalkeepers, Jose Manuel Pinto and Albert Jorquera. Likewise, the injured players were Alexander Hleb and Gabriel Milito. All players who did not appear much in the match remained in the video.
Everyone appears, except Pep himself. He really wants to give players credit for the effort throughout the season until they reach the Champions League final and have the chance to win the treble.
After the video was over, the atmosphere of the room became silent. The players are silent a thousand languages. They were very touched by Pep’s extraordinary surprise. Milito even cried because he could not appear in this big match. The embracing player and the Barca dressing room at that time became very intense and emotional.
The players come out and fight like gladiators. They successfully won the match through goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi. The Champions League trophy complements the La Liga and Copa Del Rey trophies that have been won before. Pep ended Barcelona 2009/10 season with a treble winner.
Apart from tactics, the ability of managers in human management is very important. Whether it’s how he motivates players, makes players feel important and valued, and forms a family atmosphere behind the scenes that reinforces one another.
The situation is different from Barca now under the leadership of Quique Setien. Barca now have internal problems between coaches and players. Setien is rumored to have lost the confidence of the player. This off-field problem exacerbates problems on the pitch, namely Barca who don’t play beautiful football like the club’s philosophy.
For a club as big as Barca, the coach’s ability on and off the pitch must be balanced. Strong club politics also make coaches have to be good at keeping team together so as not to be influenced. What Pep did before the game against Man United in the 2009 Champions League final is an outstanding example.
ASL
