Joan Laporta

Windhook

Well-known member
And that’s my point. You say… Laporta wouldn’t have been able to do it without Flick or Guardiola, or their players, while I say that none of it would have happened without Laporta’s vision and ability to hire the right managers and staff. It starts at the top and this absolutely matters.
Laporta's vision is based on advisors. The reason why Rijkaard and Pep were picked is he trusted Johan Cruyff 100%. Rijkaard was at his lowest in 2003, relegated with Sparta Rotterdam. Without Cruyff in 2008, Laporta would've picked Jose Mourinho, in his word "many board members wanted him". The reason why Jose ran into the pitch in 2010 semi-finals, the sprinklers, you know. For Jose, no matter what he says, FC Barcelona was the dream job that never happened.
 

JamDav1982

Senior Member
I am sure the story is that Cruyff wanted Pep but Laporta was leaning towards Mourinho.

They decided to interview them and it was Txiki/someone else that interviewed both and said it had to be Pep.

It wasnt Cruyff who influence that final decision of the two although may have helped push Peps name to that point of it being two horse race.

Laporta didnt always listen to Cruyff. He was pushing for other player and not Ronaldinho initially for example.
 

delancey

Senior Member
Laporta's vision is based on advisors. The reason why Rijkaard and Pep were picked is he trusted Johan Cruyff 100%. Rijkaard was at his lowest in 2003, relegated with Sparta Rotterdam. Without Cruyff in 2008, Laporta would've picked Jose Mourinho, in his word "many board members wanted him". The reason why Jose ran into the pitch in 2010 semi-finals, the sprinklers, you know. For Jose, no matter what he says, FC Barcelona was the dream job that never happened.
He’s got a knack for hiring great advisors too. :lol:

If it happens once or twice, one could make the argument that it may have been a fluke. But now it’s turned into a pattern. And you know… hiring the right people, such as valuable advisors, and listening to their input, is a skill too. Laporta is very good at hiring the right people around him.
 

Windhook

Well-known member
Laporta didnt always listen to Cruyff. He was pushing for other player and not Ronaldinho initially for example.
Cruyff adviced on the managerial picks only, as both Rijkaard and Pep were his students. Nothing more than that, what you imply here is he was forcing himself into sporting director of FC Barcelona, which he wasn't. Ronaldinho was Rosell's Nike pick.
 

JamDav1982

Senior Member
Cruyff adviced on the managerial picks only, as both Rijkaard and Pep were his students. Nothing more than that, what you imply here is he was forcing himself into sporting director of FC Barcelona, which he wasn't. Ronaldinho was Rosell's Nike pick.

Cruyff was known to be pushing for players also and was a big advocate of Ibra for example.

Would need to find it but the story from what can remember is Pep chosen on advice of other board members after interview and prior to that Laports edging towards Mou.

It wasnt Cruyffs choice or influence that got Pep the job and Laporta went with it.

You are implying Cruyff forced his opinion above sporting directors not me.
 

Windhook

Well-known member
You are implying Cruyff forced his opinion above sporting directors not me.
No. I said Johan Cruyff gave advices on manager picks, Laporta and his staff decided in the end. Both in 2003 and 2008. The difference between advice and "force".

And then you throw Ibrahimovic in there, Cruyff pushing the club to sign him.
 

JamDav1982

Senior Member
Pep wasnt chosen because of Cruyffs opinion on him and Laporta did not always go with his opinion either.

Can trust someone 100% and take into consideration and still not go with their ideas blindly.

To say the REASON Pep got the job is down to Laporta trusting Cruyff who wanted him just isnt accurate on all that has been reported about how he got the job.

Cruyff advised on players, coaches.. just about every aspect of playing side.

Cruyff was an advocate for Pep and one of many voices involved who have input.
 

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