PEP GUARDIOLA
Also known as the "philosopher", Pep Guardiola is my sports manager hero, not only for what he represents for Barcelona and global football worldwide, but mainly because he is a unique individual, full of amazing characteristics and there is nobody that represents Catalan culture better than him. He is very knowledgeable, passionate and dedicated, inspiring, emotional, polite (educated-gentleman), elegant (class), honest, ... he is a role model. One example of all this characteristics, in preparation of becoming the manager of Bayern Munich, Guardiola practised German for four to five hours per day in order to adapt as soon as possible to the german culture and its new club.
At the age of 18 made his debut with the first team against Cadiz C.F. and soon became an untouchable figure of the team playing as a defensive midfielder under the orders of Johan Cruyff, and together they won the first Champions League of the club in 1992, at the age of 20. After 12 season in the first team and winning 16 titles, Guardiola decided not be linked with Barcelona anymore for personal reasons.
In 2007, he was designated coach of FC Barcelona B. In his first year of professional coaching, the team achieve its promotion to the Spanish 2B Division, major success which would be awarded to coach the first team the next season. He changed the system of FC Barcelona and introduced youngsters from the 3rd Division (Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodriguez) that had an improtant growth and impact on the team. When training the first team, he accomplished something that nobody did before; he won all titles in an annual campaign, and most incredibly, at his first season.
After 5 years of excitment and unforgettable nights, Guardiola left Barcelona with 14 titles. He is probably the best coach in history that build up the best team ever and changed the history of football. He will always be remembered for what he did and how he influenced society in people hearts.