Former Barcelona president reveals why Pep Guardiola left the club

The now-Man City manager enjoyed a glory-laden spell in charge of his hometown club from 2008 until 2012.

Pep Guardiola left Barcelona because of problems with the players, according to former president Sandro Rosell.

The Catalan coached his hometown club for four seasons between 2008 and 2012. In 247 matches, he led Barca to 179 victories (D47 L21) and a remarkable 14 trophies – including three consecutive La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

It was one of the most successful periods in Barcelona’s history and set the tone for Guardiola’s managerial career.

In 2012, however, Guardiola resigned from his post. He claimed to be worn out at the time and took a year’s sabbatical in New York before going on to coach Bayern Munich and currently Manchester City.

🚨 DID YOU KNOW?

In 2009 Pep Guardiola became the ONLY manager to ever win every trophy in a calendar year, sweeping all six available trophies with his Barcelona side. pic.twitter.com/ALt1axaouw

— The BallBoy (@the_ballboy_) July 5, 2022

Why did Guardiola leave Barcelona?

But in an interview with El Periodico, Rosell claimed it was a fallout in the dressing room that led to Guardiola’s exit and denied the board had any role in it.

“It’s not true,” the 58-year-old said.

“They’ve explained it actively and passively, Guardiola and the players. Pep left because of an argument with the players. A problem they had in the dressing room.”

Rosell served as president of Barcelona from 2010 to 2014. He brought the likes of Neymar and Cesc Fabregas to Camp Nou, while the club won La Liga twice and the Champions League itself.

“My four years at Barca are the best in the history of the club,” Rosell added.

“In terms of titles, money, history made, socially, with the foundation, they are the best. There are stats. You can tell me ‘Rosell, I don’t like you, I can’t stand you’, but the objective data of my time in charge are published and audited on Barcelona’s official website. I’ve never defended myself, but the numbers are what they are.

“From 2010 to 2020, including the pandemic, these were the best years in the history of the club.”