A Barry Lyndon of the world of football

Drumcondra’s Don Patricio became Barcelona’s manager just before the city was taken over by anarchists, the club’s president was shot and liquidation loomed. Richard Fitzpatrick unravels a club legend’s story

BARCELONA’S Pep Guardiola is part of a distinguished line. Some of the most famous names in football have managed the club. They include Helenio Herrera, the man synonymous with catenaccio; Dutchman Rinus Michels, the godfather of its free-flowing antithesis, Total Football; César Menotti, Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning coach and bon vivant; and, of course, Johan Cruyff, who these days acts as the club’s honorary life president.

Several Englishman have also held the post, including Terry Venables, who led Barça to its first league title in 11 years in 1985 and a European Cup final the following year, and Bobby Robson who, during his sole year in charge, won three trophies, including the 1997 European Cup Winners’ Cup.