Brescia President Gino Corioni reveals Pep Guardiola “had already told me he would take a year out” from football after quitting Barcelona.
Brescia President Gino Corioni reveals Pep Guardiola “had already told me he would take a year out” from football after quitting Barcelona.
The tactician announced the news in a press conference earlier today, handing the reins over to assistant manager Tito Vilanova.
“Guardiola had already told me he would take a year out,” Corioni told TMW, as the former Brescia player visited the club’s training ground earlier this season.
“Pep is a very intelligent man and had understood after four years he had no more motivation, so winning wouldn’t have made a difference. He seemed thoroughly relaxed and normal.
“At this moment it is very likely he will stay out for a year and not work for a big club. I think he’d prefer to train a national team instead.
“Pep had already hinted he had decided not to train any more, while his assistant manager still had a Barcelona contract and could therefore be his replacement. Barça look for an internal solution.
“I don’t think it’ll be a huge problem for Barcelona, as the players are there. Pep made them play the best football and I don’t think anyone can do better at Barça. Poetry and sentiment are important, but so are the results.”
Guardiola first came to Brescia as a player in 2001-02 and has been very close to President Corioni and then-Coach Carlo Mazzone ever since.
“He didn’t want to play in Spain any more and immediately accepted our offer, even if at the time there was an English club on his trail. Pep dreamed of coming to play in Italy.”