Bulgaria football legend, Hristo Stoichkov has said that he believes Pep Guardiola had it easy while in charge of Barcelona.

According to SToichkov, Barca was already cooked by former boss, Frank Rijkaard, making it easy for Pep to be successful.

In an interview with The MIrro, Stoichkov said,

“Barcelona were already cooked.”

“Pep’s work was easy, as he knew the infrastructure of the youth system perfectly well.

“Frank Rijkaard made the squad Pep took over.”[Lionel] Messi and other players had already debuted with Rijkaard.

“Spectacular things would have been achieved with Pep or without.

“There was Thierry Henry, Deco, Ronaldinho, Rafa Marquez, Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes.

“There were a few players Pep needed to move, but Andreas Iniesta and Pedro came in, and there was more playing time for Lionel – then the team was complete.”

Guardiola won two Champions League titles among a host of other trophies during his four years in the Camp Nou dugout.

Marca