How will the Camp Nou farewell and that of Busquets and Alba live at home?
It has not been easy to get motivated after winning LaLiga, but tomorrow we have to say goodbye to the Camp Nou and years of great games and the farewell to Sergio and Jordi and that is extra motivation.
How does Barça change with the departure of emblematic players?
One of the most difficult things is managing friends. Make decisions not to play and tell them. But I’m for this. They are painful decisions. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m here to make decisions and the position and the team are above everything.
What do you keep from what you experienced in the stadium?
The day of the farewell. There are titles, victories, the debut, but leaving with that farewell with the treble was fantastic.
You will go down in history as the last coach of the Camp Nou. How do you live it?
It will be emotional, it is like my home. It will also be sad, but it is for a good cause.
Will they seek to help Lewandowski and Ter Stegen in the search for their individual records?
The objective is to end up winning, a collective objective. You have to finish with good feelings and for Lewandowski and Ter Stegen to get their prizes. We like to end the season with these challenges
Worried that departures mean loss of leadership?
Jordi and Busi have helped a lot and we will miss them. This is renewed and I don’t care. There are people who need to step up. There will be no problem.
How is the situation with Koundé?
I already answered that. There is no problem, but you keep writing that there is a problem when there is not. The conversation was good, he is a great guy, a great professional who has helped us a lot.
Can you imagine having a song that identifies your Barça like Coldplay’s Viva la Vida with Guardiola’s?
In music I go on a separate bus, I leave the players. If they put us a song it was because we were the best.
Have you inspected Montjuïc?
I think it will not be easy. We are leaving our house and a people who have been ten. We will need the people. It won’t be easy, but we are all excited.
Will Pedri go to the Nations League or will he rest?
I have a very good deal with Luis de la Fuente. He needs rest because he is very tired. It is convenient for you to rest.
Does a stage end with the departure of these players?
It has already begun. Now the change of scenery will come, but I don’t have the feeling of a generational change. We need a top signing to replace Busquets.
Is it necessary to reinforce the left-back?
We have Balde and Marcos. There is no need to strengthen.
What future awaits Ansu?
I have not talked with him. We do not know the economic situation of the club. When we know the scenario, we will plan according to whether we can sign or not.
What profile are you looking for to replace Sergio?
The more complete, the better. It won’t be easy, but we depend on economic Fair-Play. He must be decisive, physically strong, technically good and tactically ready.
Did he want Alba to continue?
It was he who took the step. I thought it was time. We had a long and positive conversation. He helped us with everything.
How do you explain that a replacement for Busquets or a right-back has not been created?
Yes they were created. Samper, Oriol Romeu and Touré Yaya were victims of how good Sergio was, who never got injured. They had to find life. What is certain is that now it is necessary to look for it outside.
Is the team as you imagined?
There has been everything, from excellent moments to other worse ones. We have to keep improving, work more tactically. The note is remarkable, but you have to look for the excellent.
Do you want goal technology to be installed?
There is not enough with the VAR and it has been seen this week. LaLiga must seek excellence and if there is this tool you have to have it.
Has Guardiola changed the game?
He is the person who has most influenced football in the last fifteen years. The technicians have been divided in trying to imitate it or in being anti-Guardiola. He is brilliant.
Has this course worn out a lot?
The hair is falling behind. There are hard days when you lose. I am very happy and grateful, but many times you feel alone.
Do you think like Guardiola about racism in Spain?
There I disagree. I think it’s an educational issue. You have to educate people. The insult is not normal and you have to change things.
Would the personality of the team change so as not to replace Busquets?
No, you have to find that piece. It is essential to have it. It is the key to compete in the next season.
How do you assess that since your arrival there are only nine players left?
Here things are like that. The requirement is maximum. You have to strengthen yourself every year because every year they ask you for more.