Get tucked into Balagues book called "PEP= another way of winning" and it goes into detail what had kind of happened towards the end of the Rijkaard reign. It is a good book anyway but it does talk in detail about that transition and how Mourinho was actually number one choice too.
Right now, I wouldn't trade Rodgers for anyone. Not saying he's the best manager in the world, but he's the best manager right now for us. He is totally immersed in our club and building an attacking philosophy within the club again. It's his 'project' and his first opportunity to really create something - and he's on his way to doing that. He's young enough to keep on learning and adapting, and I think he's learned a lot even this year. I would love the club to just keep having faith in Brendan because the fans do and it's obvious that the players do. Keep him for the long term, see how far he can take the club.
They had excellent players but they lost their way and were second in a two team league which is unacceptable. Real became the dominant force and Barca had big egos who weren't pulling their weight in Ronaldinho and Deco. Pep had the balls to make big changes and built the best Barca team in history.
