Guardiola appears to have the golden touch of Jose Mourinho and in his calm and suave demeanour he bears an uncanny resemblance to the former Chelsea manager.

Yet it is there the similarities end and after last night's Champions League victory over Manchester United, Guardiola's beaten opponent Sir Alex Ferguson might point to a footballing ethos more akin to another of his great rivals - Arsene Wenger - for his undoing.

Wenger's Arsenal teams have prided themselves on their slick, creative passing style and in Rome, Barca played such a system to perfection.

The Spaniards zipped the ball about the pitch with speed and precision and United were simply unable to gain enough possession as they chased the game.

They showed plenty of ability in the semi-final against Chelsea but were ruffled in defence and almost paid for a lack of a cutting edge.

That was put right on the grandest of stages as Barca grabbed an early goal and went on to give an exhibition that thoroughly warranted the club's third European title.

It has been a remarkable year for Guardiola in his first season in charge after succeeding Frank Rijkaard.

A hero in his time as a player, the much-decorated former defensive midfielder stepped up from his role coaching the B team and made an immediate impression.

If the appointment was a gamble, with more experienced coaches around the world surely attainable, it was one that soon paid off as he delivered La Liga title success and a Copa del Rey win.

The Champions League was the crowning glory but the manner in which he accepted victory earned almost as many admirers.

Guardiola was truly magnanimous in his finest hour, appearing almost deferential to Ferguson, 29 years his senior, despite comprehensively outflanking him.

The fickle world of coaching at the top level in Spain may yet bite but at present Guardiola's future would seem extremely bright indeed.