Joan Laporta believes Barcelona made the right decision to not re-employ Jose Mourinho last summer.
Barca president happy with coach choice
Joan Laporta has stated that he believes Barcelona made the right decision to not re-employ Jose Mourinho last summer and instead take a chance on Pep Guardiola.
Talks between the Portuguese coach and the Catalan giants have been revealed ahead of Inter Milan's UEFA Champions League encounter with Barca on Wednesday, with his unwillingness to not speak out ultimately costing him the role.
Guardiola was instead chosen to step up from the Barca B side and he did so with incredible effect as he led the club to an historic treble last term.
"We did not hire Mourinho because after evaluating all the possibilities we decided that Pep Guardiola met all our conditions," Laporta was quoted as saying by
Sport.
"It was a decision that we felt would work and that has been the case.
"Mourinho is one of the people we considered, but by not hiring him that does not diminish his ability.
"He is a great coach, but we are happy with Guardiola."
Dignified
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has aired his discontent about the way that his move from Barcelona to Inter was handled this summer, but Laporta has a different view on the saga.
"His departure was dignified, elegant and everyone has benefited from it," the president continued.
"I am sure he will be highly motivated and want to show what a quality player he is once again, like he has always done.
"Eto'o will always be fondly remembered by everyone connected to Barcelona.
"Now though we have a new centre-forward in (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and we are excited about that and pleased that he has shown his quality and ability to adapt quickly.
"This will be a game with the two best strikers in the world playing."
