View attachment 248446
I was sat on The balcony of my apartment on the outskirts of Barcelona enjoying the sun, with a glass of cold water. I had just left FC Barcelona, and although planned to take a year out. I made it clear to the media who had been hounding me every time I left my house, that If someone could seduce me I would consider a early return. As I was relaxing, I received a text message. Just before I got a chance to open the text, My attention was taken by an Aston Martin DB9 that pulled up outside my apartment gates. I stood up to see if I could get a clearer view of the car. Now in my mind I only new 2 people who drove a DB9, My Cousin and Leo. I prayed to God that it wasn't my cousin as I had no intention of spending my afternoon explaining why I had resigned from the "perfect job in the world." as he called it. Still not being able to see who had got out of the car I went downstairs to answer the door. I opened the door and walk to my gate and approaching me was Lionel Messi. Leo invited himself in and proceeded to tell me he had been doing a lot of thinking about his time at Barcelona and after hearing my decision to leave that he wasn't too sure if he could stay at the club any more. I made it clear to Leo that I think he shouldn't be too hasty to make a decision and that he should take sometime over the summer to think about it. He then asked me if I had received his text message which reminded me that I got distracted and didn't check my messages. He grabbed the remote and threw it in my direction and said"switch on sky sports news." and to my amazement!
View attachment 248445
Breaking news
Lionel Messi has handed in a formal transfer request saying that the departure of Pep Guardiola + a season without winning a trophy has left him with no choice but to request to leave the club. Barcelona are expected to reject the transfer request this afternoon but as Messi is refusing to sign a new contract and only has 2 years left on his current deal they may have to surrender to his demands.
I switched of the TV and gazed into thin air, not quite believing what I had seen. I was sure that Barcelona fans reactions would have been very similar. The only difference was that I had Leo to explain it to me, Whereas the fans had nothing but speculation. I firstly joked saying how dare he leave because of a not winning a trophy, and reminded him that was under my management. I asked Leo what he wanted to do. He proceeded to tell me he wished to leave Barcelona and join whichever club I chose to manage next. I laughed and said even if I join Derry City. He joked saying then he would have to reconsider.
I had a lot of thinking to do. There is no way the media could find out about this, Then clubs would know that if they hire me they would also get the best player in the world, if not in history. I made it clear to Leo that if I did go back into management before the season restarted, and at a club that had the resources to sign him that it would all have to be done in the most professional way. Leo agreed. As we were together my phone rang, I told Leo I would be 10 minutes and went into my office. It was an unknown number but as a unemployed manager who is speculated to get job offers "left, right and centre." as the media put it. I could be expecting to receive many calls on unknown numbers. I answered and said hello. To my shock on the other side of the call was Barcelona President Joan Laporta. He asked me if I had heard about Messi's request. I was completely honest and told him that I had and that Lionel had informed me personally of his decision. I went on to tell the president that of course any club in the world would love to sign him. He wants to leave and no one player is bigger than a club. In my head I was thinking if any one player is bigger than the club it has to be Leo though. Without any influence from me, or at least I think not Barcelona agree to accept Messi's request but only if the club buying met there asking price of £100 million.I went back downstairs smiled at Leo and said "this time you switch on sky sports news." and as he did he could not believe his eyes.
View attachment 248445
Breaking news
Barcelona accept Lionel Messi's transfer request.
I told him that they would be know assurances I would get a job and be back in management but secretly I wanted to manage Messi again. I asked for what seems the 100th time. "Leo are you sure you want to leave Barcelona?" to which he assured me he did. I went on to ask "why." and after probing for a while he responded... "Over the last 4 years Pep, you have been a great manager, who has brought me great career success but above all you have been a father figure to me. I see you as my footballing father."
I was sat on The balcony of my apartment on the outskirts of Barcelona enjoying the sun, with a glass of cold water. I had just left FC Barcelona, and although planned to take a year out. I made it clear to the media who had been hounding me every time I left my house, that If someone could seduce me I would consider a early return. As I was relaxing, I received a text message. Just before I got a chance to open the text, My attention was taken by an Aston Martin DB9 that pulled up outside my apartment gates. I stood up to see if I could get a clearer view of the car. Now in my mind I only new 2 people who drove a DB9, My Cousin and Leo. I prayed to God that it wasn't my cousin as I had no intention of spending my afternoon explaining why I had resigned from the "perfect job in the world." as he called it. Still not being able to see who had got out of the car I went downstairs to answer the door. I opened the door and walk to my gate and approaching me was Lionel Messi. Leo invited himself in and proceeded to tell me he had been doing a lot of thinking about his time at Barcelona and after hearing my decision to leave that he wasn't too sure if he could stay at the club any more. I made it clear to Leo that I think he shouldn't be too hasty to make a decision and that he should take sometime over the summer to think about it. He then asked me if I had received his text message which reminded me that I got distracted and didn't check my messages. He grabbed the remote and threw it in my direction and said"switch on sky sports news." and to my amazement!
View attachment 248445
Breaking news
Lionel Messi has handed in a formal transfer request saying that the departure of Pep Guardiola + a season without winning a trophy has left him with no choice but to request to leave the club. Barcelona are expected to reject the transfer request this afternoon but as Messi is refusing to sign a new contract and only has 2 years left on his current deal they may have to surrender to his demands.
I switched of the TV and gazed into thin air, not quite believing what I had seen. I was sure that Barcelona fans reactions would have been very similar. The only difference was that I had Leo to explain it to me, Whereas the fans had nothing but speculation. I firstly joked saying how dare he leave because of a not winning a trophy, and reminded him that was under my management. I asked Leo what he wanted to do. He proceeded to tell me he wished to leave Barcelona and join whichever club I chose to manage next. I laughed and said even if I join Derry City. He joked saying then he would have to reconsider.
I had a lot of thinking to do. There is no way the media could find out about this, Then clubs would know that if they hire me they would also get the best player in the world, if not in history. I made it clear to Leo that if I did go back into management before the season restarted, and at a club that had the resources to sign him that it would all have to be done in the most professional way. Leo agreed. As we were together my phone rang, I told Leo I would be 10 minutes and went into my office. It was an unknown number but as a unemployed manager who is speculated to get job offers "left, right and centre." as the media put it. I could be expecting to receive many calls on unknown numbers. I answered and said hello. To my shock on the other side of the call was Barcelona President Joan Laporta. He asked me if I had heard about Messi's request. I was completely honest and told him that I had and that Lionel had informed me personally of his decision. I went on to tell the president that of course any club in the world would love to sign him. He wants to leave and no one player is bigger than a club. In my head I was thinking if any one player is bigger than the club it has to be Leo though. Without any influence from me, or at least I think not Barcelona agree to accept Messi's request but only if the club buying met there asking price of £100 million.I went back downstairs smiled at Leo and said "this time you switch on sky sports news." and as he did he could not believe his eyes.
View attachment 248445
Breaking news
Barcelona accept Lionel Messi's transfer request.
I told him that they would be know assurances I would get a job and be back in management but secretly I wanted to manage Messi again. I asked for what seems the 100th time. "Leo are you sure you want to leave Barcelona?" to which he assured me he did. I went on to ask "why." and after probing for a while he responded... "Over the last 4 years Pep, you have been a great manager, who has brought me great career success but above all you have been a father figure to me. I see you as my footballing father."
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