Did Guardiola see the writing on the wall at Barcelona?

[Ferdasyn 431]

I remember reading a report a few years ago which claimed he was working about 20 hours a day on Barcelona.

[sdunsmb 43]

Don't buy Sasa's story one bit. Purely down to money? Not a chance.

[BlueSuedeSambas 54,640]

Pep was clearly burnt out. It maybe wasn't the single biggest factor, but it definetly played a part.

The guy visibly began aging at a frightening rate within months of taking the job and Balague has spoken several times about how Pep worked hours and hours each week because he planned everything so maliciously.

[debear 603]

Easy to win in a 2 team league if the opposition has a stinker

Somewhat belittles our league wins in the Macari/Brady/Mowbray/Barnes years does it not?

[Thermopylae 15,287]

Pep was clearly burnt out. It maybe wasn't the single biggest factor, but it definetly played a part.

The guy visibly began aging at a frightening rate within months of taking the job and Balague has spoken several times about how Pep worked hours and hours each week because he planned everything so maliciously.

I doubt he did any more that SAF does and he's in his 70s

[Thermopylae 15,287]

Suppose if I was a cynic I would say he took the break because he knew Barcelona would begin to decline without him and so he becomes an even better manger (and more employable) during his absence from the game