Victor Font, one of the top candidates aspiring to replace the ongoing president of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has stressed the need to bring back coach Pep Guardiola to the club. He also stressed that the club’s talisman, Lionel Messi, under the managerial supervision of Guardiola, can bring back the glory days of the club.
Barcelona had some of the best years in the club’s history under Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2012. The Spanish tactician was the first coach at the club that gave Messi the chance to play in the club’s senior team.
From 2008 until 2012 when Guardiola left the club, the combination of Messi and the Spanish tactician was unstoppable. They both worked together to win three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey, three Supercopa de España, two UEFA Champions League, two UEFA Super Cup, and two FIFA Club World Cup.
Since Pep Guardiola left Barcelona, the club has not been able to witness such a productive period. Also, the Spanish tactician has not been able to experience such glorious managerial records outside Barcelona.
The 49-year-old coach is currently the manager of Manchester City where he has been since 2016. Even though he has led them to three Champions League campaign, he has not been able to lead the team to the final. His contract with the club will expire in June 2021 and Manchester City are yet to start negotiations with him.
As for Lionel Messi, the 33-year-old football star wanted to leave Barcelona. He has tried to do so during the 2020 summer transfer window but he didn’t succeed. Hence, he is just waiting for his contract with Barcelona to expire in June 2021 so that he can leave for free.
But Victor Font believes that when he is made the president of FC Barcelona, he could put measures in place that could convince the 33-year-old Argentina international to stay at the club.
“We intend to build a very strong and competitive project and we are very lucky at Barca that we inherited a style of play that Johan Cruyff instilled throughout the organization”, Victor Font told Sky Sports.
“And most of the best professionals who know about this style are also fans and love the club – like Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol.
“They are all legends that love Barcelona but do not work for Barca today – we need to bring them back to ensure we will have a very competitive project.
“The only thing Messi needs is to know he is part of a competitive project that aspires to win the next Champions League.
“We do not doubt that if we have the honor to take the helm of FC Barcelona we will be able to achieve that.”
Nice drawing ✍️! 😍👍🏼⚽️🔝 https://t.co/wGBOyOzIrC
— Víctor Font (@victor_font) October 29, 2020
