Premier League giants Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has earned a reputation as one of the most successful soccer managers over the years. The veteran’s in-game management of his team and mind-bending tactics have often had the better of his opponents.
Pep Guardiola has managed La Liga club FC Barcelona in the past. He held the club’s managerial post for about 247 matches. The former Barca manager was at the club for a period of four years. The 52-year-old won 14 trophies with the club during his reign there.
According to the reports, the veteran manager had something to say about the bribery allegations against Barcelona and the club’s president, Joan Laporte. The Santpedor-born comes clean upon the club’s bribery case related to referee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
Guardiola stated, “Negreira case? The real scandal was the way we were playing (during my time). We won all titles and we were much better than the opponent”. The former Barca boss further said, “Laporte is innocent, Barca are innocent”. Moreover, he expressed that, until the charges are proven, he will not lend his opinion.
🚨🎙️| Pep Guardiola: “Negreira case? The real scandal was the way we were playing (during my time). We won all titles and we were much better than the opponent. Laporta is innocent, Barça are innocent. Until the opposite is proven, I will not give my opinion.” #fcblive ❤ pic.twitter.com/t3PYFjrq6c
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 20, 2023
From his statements, it can be inferred that the City’s manager genuinely believes that the bribery allegations against his previous club are false. Earlier, FC Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporte, was charged with bribery, and unjust administration in an official paper linked to Caso Negreira. Joan is currently being investigated for the reported allegations against him.
As per the reports, the Caso Negreira pertains to the total payments of about $7.7 million that FC Barcelona reportedly gave to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira (former vice-president of the referee’s technical committee) and his offspring pertaining from the year 2001 to the year 2018.
Barcelona manager Xavier Hernandez on the bribery charges against club’s President Joan Laporta
Barca’s manager, Xavier Hernandez, has stated his opinion on the ongoing bribery charges against Joan Laporta. The club’s manager stated that he is “with the president hundred percent”. Hernandez further expressed that, according to him, Joan is a very positive and brave individual. The current Barca manager was formerly a player at the club.
The 43-year-old inflicted: “He (Joan Laporta) is the leader of this whole project”. Xavi Hernandez opined that the club’s president has a quite calm personality, and he is totally with him. The manager believes that the ongoing situation at the club is generated to “destabilize” Barcelona.
With the investigations in progress regarding the bribery matter, the club’s hierarchy would have to wait to see how things pan out. Fans of FC Barcelona would hope that the current off-the-field scenario doesn’t affect the club’s on-field performances.