Prodigal son Pep proves extra special

THOSE who think Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona legacy is confined to the annals of history should think again.

Three years ago, Jose Mourinho was set to be ushered into the Nou Camp dugout to replace the outgoing Frank Rijkaard. Mourinho, the best coach in the world, looked a perfect fit to take over at the club where he cut his coaching teeth in the 1990s. The Special One was available, too, having been sacked by Chelsea the previous year.

But Cruyff, Barca president Joan Laporta’s unofficial advisor, knew of another, even more special one. Pep Guardiola.