BARCELONA striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has likened new coach Pep Guardiola to Jose Mourinho and insists he can be as successful as the Internazionale coach.
Guardiola had a torrid start to life at the Nou Camp as his team lost their opening Primera Liga game against newly-promoted Numancia, but a winning streak of six games - domestically and in Europe - has reaffirmed the fans' faith in him.
Gudjohnsen played for Mourinho at Chelsea, lifting two Premier League titles under the Portuguese's stewardship, and he claims Guardiola has many of his former coach's traits.
"Guardiola is a coach who focuses on the details," he told El Mundo Deportivo. "He knows how the players feel at every moment because of the great player he was and he behaves in one way or another because of this.
"Him and his team are very united and very prepared. Pep reminds me a lot of Mourinho, who I was at Chelsea with.
"You still can't say what his career on the bench will be like, but both of them like to talk to the players, they have a strong mentality and very clear ideas.
"There is a lot of respect for him (Pep) in the dressing room and we feel that we can have a magnificent season."
Gudjohnsen is enjoying a new lease of life under Guardiola, and has scored two goals in the past three games, including a late winner against Real Betis.
The 30-year-old, who admits he was on the verge of leaving the Nou Camp in the summer, has credited his new boss for his resurgence.
"Some details have changed which may seem small but for me were very big," continued Gudjohnsen. "Now I feel very valued by the coach and that gives me more confidence.
"Moreover, if it is that that helps you score goals, the result is that now I am much more calm and able to do my work well.
"My confidence has grown because I am also more valued in the team. Now I know that if I play well, I will be given the opportunity to start, not like last year when after a good match in the next one you'd always end up on the bench.
"Last year the boss already had his 11 in advance, now we can all think about starting.
"Pep has told us that this year there are no set starters and that we are all important in the team."
Gudjohnsen moved to Barca in 2006 when the Catalans were European Champions but has endured two trophyless years at the Nou Camp.
However, the Iceland star is confident this year will see a return of silverware.
"I have always said that I came to Barca to win titles," continued Gudjohnsen. "But this summer I was decided on leaving.
"Nevertheless, I went to speak to the boss and when he told me that he had confidence in me and that I could be useful to the team, I changed my mind.
"For me there is not a club bigger than Barca, I am very happy with the decision I took and now I only hope to repay the coach by helping the team win titles."
Gudjohnsen played for Mourinho at Chelsea, lifting two Premier League titles under the Portuguese's stewardship, and he claims Guardiola has many of his former coach's traits.
"Guardiola is a coach who focuses on the details," he told El Mundo Deportivo. "He knows how the players feel at every moment because of the great player he was and he behaves in one way or another because of this.
"Him and his team are very united and very prepared. Pep reminds me a lot of Mourinho, who I was at Chelsea with.
"You still can't say what his career on the bench will be like, but both of them like to talk to the players, they have a strong mentality and very clear ideas.
"There is a lot of respect for him (Pep) in the dressing room and we feel that we can have a magnificent season."
Gudjohnsen is enjoying a new lease of life under Guardiola, and has scored two goals in the past three games, including a late winner against Real Betis.
The 30-year-old, who admits he was on the verge of leaving the Nou Camp in the summer, has credited his new boss for his resurgence.
"Some details have changed which may seem small but for me were very big," continued Gudjohnsen. "Now I feel very valued by the coach and that gives me more confidence.
"Moreover, if it is that that helps you score goals, the result is that now I am much more calm and able to do my work well.
"My confidence has grown because I am also more valued in the team. Now I know that if I play well, I will be given the opportunity to start, not like last year when after a good match in the next one you'd always end up on the bench.
"Last year the boss already had his 11 in advance, now we can all think about starting.
"Pep has told us that this year there are no set starters and that we are all important in the team."
Gudjohnsen moved to Barca in 2006 when the Catalans were European Champions but has endured two trophyless years at the Nou Camp.
However, the Iceland star is confident this year will see a return of silverware.
"I have always said that I came to Barca to win titles," continued Gudjohnsen. "But this summer I was decided on leaving.
"Nevertheless, I went to speak to the boss and when he told me that he had confidence in me and that I could be useful to the team, I changed my mind.
"For me there is not a club bigger than Barca, I am very happy with the decision I took and now I only hope to repay the coach by helping the team win titles."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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