Pep Guardiola
Paul Jewell came close to signing Barca boss Pep Guardiola
By Dave Gooderham
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
3:33 PM
PAUL Jewell has revealed how close he came to signing Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.
The Ipswich Town manager was in charge of Wigan Athletic in the Premier League when he was offered the then-32-year-old free agent.
Despite the relatively unfashionable status of the Latics, Guardiola quickly won Jewell over by knowing all about Wigan’s players and formation.
But with Jewell expecting the 39-cap Spanish international to put pen-to-paper, the move was scuppered when Guardiola received a “mind-blowing offer” to play for Al-Ahli in Qatar.
But the experience clearly impressed the Town boss who is tipping Barcelona to recover from a 1-0 first-leg setback and beat Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League semi-final.
“I got a call from Guardiola’s agent and he gave me Pep’s number so I rang him and left a message,” Jewell said. “Quite remarkably, five minutes later he rang me back. He knew all about Wigan, all about our players – I was really impressed.
“We had a terrific conversation and he told me he would like to come and play in the Premier League. His wages weren’t extortionate and he was all set to come when his agent called me a couple of days later saying Pep had received a mind-blowing offer from Qatar. So it was Qatar or Wigan.”
Even though their exchange was brief, Jewell heard things that made him think Guardiola, a Champions League winner as player and then manager of Barca, was destined for great things.
Jewell said: “The impressive thing was he knew all about Wigan, even what formation we played. I just thought it showed great football knowledge throughout Europe.
“I like the way he conducts himself now. He is very low key but he has done a brilliant job with Barcelona.”
And Jewell is tipping Barcelona to bounce back from Saturday’s El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid and beat Chelsea in tonight’s second leg.
He added: “It would be nice for English football if Chelsea win but Barcelona will take some stopping. Chelsea did great and defended with their lives but the Nou Camp is a completely different situation. Barcelona are a cut above everything else.”
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7 comments
the only thing i believe about this story is that pj didnt sign him and we all no why that is dont we
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gutted
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
PJ would be better advised to spend tie thinking how he is going to turn around the complete mess he is making at ITFC! Less points than last season and a team of ageing has-beens. His management this season has at times beggerd belief, and despite two or three very good showings, on the whole it has been dismal. However, what a surprise that in a previous job PJ looked to sign a player the wrong side of 30 - it wouldn't surprise me if he tried to sign him again now! A terrible manager.
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Jason
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Ring him now - can we have the Barcelona youth team on loan for a year? Sorry,I forgot, ITFC do not have unders 30's.
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The original Victor Meldrew
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Just one more thing Jewell has not learned - 32 year olds that can still play a bit get more than one offer - those that are rubbish & don't come to Ipswich.
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Old Timer
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
THESE LIVERPUDLIANS SURE CAN TELL EM,HA HA HA
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MIGUEL100
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Grab him now Paul. It's not too late for him to do a job for us.
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TOBY P.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
He is about the right age now for Jewell to sign!!
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Kevin Bailey
Tuesday, April 24, 2012